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Birmingham City, so promising earlier in the season, have suffered two consecutive defeats. They lost 3-1 to Sunderland away at the weekend and then on Wednesday they lost 2-1 away to Blackburn Rovers.
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish will rue the loss of two games he and his club would have considered very winnable.
Yet the manager waxed philosophical over his team’s football fortunes. "Sometimes it happens, you go through a spell where you ship soft goals when otherwise you've been absolutely brilliant in defense," said McLeish.
The manager also lauded the efforts of his men in their two recent losing performances. "I've got nothing but praise for them…” he said.
It’s OK to wax philosophical, but you still have to manage
But philosophical retrospection and laudatory remarks in the aftermath of consecutive defeats, praise-worthy though these qualities may be, will take a club only so far.
McLeish therefore came back down to earth. "I'm disappointed tonight, not happy with some of the defending, and I've kicked their backsides, but I expect that they'll rise again to the occasion."
That’s the Premier League manager taking over from the philosopher.
The Blues now face Arsenal at home this weekend in a match that is, quite frankly, more important to Arsenal’s fortunes this season than to Birmingham’s.
McLeish’s club now sits ninth in the league on 44 points, six ahead of Fulham and four behind Everton.
Birmingham is solid at home
Last time out Birmingham lost 3-1 to the Gunners at Emirates Stadium. Coming home to St. Andrews for the return fixture Birmingham can be confident that they’ll give nothing away cheaply to the London club; they’ve lost just two games at home this season.
And yet, having won only one match in their last five in all competitions McLeish will be keen to halt the erosion of a club whose early season performances provoked speculation of possible European football next season.
Going into the match against Arsenal this weekend Birmingham will be able to field an almost complete squad. Only defender Lee Carsley and striker Garry O’Conner are unavailable due to injury.
Arsenal come into the weekend’s game with Birmingham having won six consecutive matches in all competitions. Until Wednesday they held second place in the league but were bumped to third following Chelsea’s 5-0 thrashing of Portsmouth.
The Gunners are now on 67 points, one behind Chelsea and two behind league leaders Manchester United. All three clubs have played 31 games.
Injuries still plague Arsenal
Robin van Persie should return before the end of the season but manager Arsene Wenger has been reluctant to speak in absolute terms regarding any contribution the Dutchman may be able to make to Arsenal’s last few games.
Aaron Ramsey is of course out for the season following the broken leg he suffered against Stoke City. Keiran Gibbs is finished for the season due to a broken metatarsal, and Johan Djourou is likely out for the season also.
Defender William Gallas has been out since mid-February due to a calf muscle problem that seems to
be healing slower than expected. Up front Danish international striker Nicklas Bendtner, who suffered an ankle injury in the match with West Ham, is questionable for the Birmingham match.
Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen is definitely unavailable. Vermaelen was sent off against West Ham when he was judged to have brought down Mexican striker Guillermo Franco in the box. The red card to the Belgian seemed a harsh decision, as did the penalty kick that followed.
Good news and bad news for Arsenal
The good news? West Ham’s Alessandro Diamante missed the penalty kick. Actually Arsenal ‘keeper Pedro Almunia had a hand in it because he guessed properly and made a great save.
The bad news? Arsenal’s appeal of Vermaelen’s red card has been denied by the league. He’s therefore suspended for one game and will miss the match with Birmingham.
At times like these Arsene Wenger’s decision to pick up Sol Campbell seems positively inspired.
Sir Alex says he fears Arsenal
The Gunners are far from out of the competition for the title but certainly most punters would put their money on Manchester United or Chelsea first, despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s supposed concern over Arsenal’s abilities to pip them at the finish line.
For his part Arsene Wenger strikes a note of optimistic realism over his team’s chances. "There are three teams in the race and it is down to the team who are the most consistent. We can only focus on our own performances," Wenger said.
Wenger will be focused on Birmingham this weekend, but he’ll be keeping an eye on developments at Old Trafford on April 3. Chelsea visit Manchester United on that day and the result of that contest may determine Arsenal’s place in the pecking order as the season winds to a close.
