Also noticeable were the gaps in the centre upstairs in the DE were they were charging £38 i think.

I had this thought as soon as the match was announced as the 150th celebration game. I know it would be a difficult decision for most fans because we want to celebrate the club's history. However, we need to do something to make sure it has a future. I think a repeat of the 1875 match against Wolves when Coyle was manager would be ideal. Empty stadium until 18th minute, all leave in 75th but make loads of noise outside the ground. I think Jack Walker would approve.

Which is pretty much what his previous clubs fans said.

Only seen the highlights so far, will have a look at the game later: - Great strike and goal from Cantwell, displaying his technique when hitting the ball from just outside the box. - De Neve is at fault for the equaliser/penalty conceded; way too eager trying to win possession from Laird, allowing him to turn on the other side and attack the box. Should've just closed him down, hold his back and force him to play a backwards pass. - I blame the corner setup more than any individual player for their winning goal. Why are there six players standing in the middle of the box, one standing next to the keeper, one at the near post but we have ZERO players outside the box ready to shoot/finish the attack should there be a clearance??? We only had ONE player standing relatively close to the corner taker being nowhere near the action and who had to make a panic run back to the goal facing FOUR Brum players. I don't care that the corner was poorly taken, you simply don't take risks like that deep into stoppage time having a draw in your hand. Yes, Henriksson should've made a professional foul at the beginning of the transition and Wharton should've been closer to Dykes inside the box but all of that mess could've been easily avoided.

The tactical change to 3 CBs helped kill us. We sat back and invited them on to us. Naive decision - we were controlling the game set up as we were, there was no need to change it. We should know from experience we are spectacularly bad at trying to protect a lead but VI made a daft choice and it contributed to our downfall.

First I've heard of it not going to former clubs. Certainly in FM20 it was hardwired into the game as a payment to former clubs. They're not generally wrong with that sort of thing, so unless the rules changed since the 19/20 season... (and if they did that's a hunk of crap IMO, players get enough compo as it is, clubs are the ones bleeding money, partly because of shit regulations that let big clubs poach their youngsters).

Solidarity payments always happen, it's not the same as compensation. We will see a similar benefit from moves Adam Wharton makes. And it's separate to sell on clauses, so we will get the bulk of the 5% if he moves fairly soon. It's also not down to moving within the same country like compensation is, so any future moves Dolan makes for money, ourselves and Preston will see a small slice. I'm not sure how long these rules have been in place but it's at least a few years.

I think it was McLaughlin, hence why he got booked, and to be fair he does take the man out but the loose ball is picked up by another Birmingham player.

Thanks for taking the time to post. The recent similarities between our two clubs are obvious from reading your first paragraph. However, one thing we are not doing, and haven't for a long time, is protest. Some fans have been numbed into a state of acceptance, some have walked away and some just enjoy going to the game and are not too interested in the off the pitch issues. I've heard all the arguments about protests not working and we need to engage. Too late for that. We need protests and we need them now. Even if people don't want to attend marches or sit ins or delayed arrival at matches, we can start with financial sanctions in the club shop, in the ground etc. It is time for action, has been for a long time.

Was going say, he came out of the tunnel and climbed the steps to join the other players whilst the game was still on . Looked to be walking OK.

Wot R u on abowt? It woz o gud pryische!

Anyone know whether there has been an update on Alibousi ? Be a real shame if he is out for an extended period, first impressions is that he looks like a decent signing.

We need a goalscorer and a winger. I like Ohashi but he’s not the former, and although Hedges did ok yesterday we need more threat out left. Without those 2 things we will be there or thereabouts the relegation mix.

I saw a comment yesterday about the team news being out early. I spoke to a friend and he told me that from this season the exchange of team sheets has changed to one and a quarter hours before kick off.

I agree completely but would add that I thought Tavares was decent yesterday.

It's OUR club. All of us. Not Jack Walker's, not venkys, ours.

Does anyone have the Granada tribute programme which was shown after Jack died. It used to be on YouTube in 3 parts in low quality, but it got pulled due to copyright on Sarah Brightman’s “Time to say Goodbye” at the end.

Its definitely a FIFA regulation/law/rule. Although it is not restricted to international transfers only, or to players under a certain age (which applies to "training compensation". Also does not apply if no fee is paid (which is self explanatory as the rule itself relates to a a % of any fee paid) https://www.lawinsport.com/topics/item/a-guide-to-training-compensation-and-solidarity-payments-in-football#:~:text=Article 21 RSTP is entitled,former club (solidarity contribution). Article 20 RSTP is entitled “Training compensation” and provides as follows: “Training compensation shall be paid to a player’s training club(s): (1) when a player signs his first contract as a professional, and (2) each time a professional is transferred until the end of the season of his 23rd birthday. The obligation to pay training compensation arises whether the transfer takes place during or at the end of the player’s contract. The provisions concerning training compensation are set out in Annexe 4 of these regulations.” Article 21 RSTP is entitled “Solidarity mechanism” and provides as follows: “If a professional is transferred before the expiry of his contract, any club that has contributed to his education and training shall receive a proportion of the compensation paid to his former club (solidarity contribution). The provisions concerning solidarity contributions are set out in Annexe 5 of these regulations.” PS - Sometimes I wonder if we should have a separate forum corner for discussing laws around transfers in autistic detail... so that we don't bore the rest of the forum 😉

Alebiosu and McLoughlin look like the picks of the new signings so far. Long throw aside, not been that impressed by Miller. Looks a clumsy type defensively. Axel and De Neve well off it.

I would have gone and I guess many others too but the 1 pm put me off. Lots of supporters have their own pre match routine and I guess getting to the ground two hours before kick off isn't included.

We're getting to the point where you have to balance potential outgoings/incomings and the costs/benefits of those with the value of retaining Championship status. Even the most deluded and optimistic of supporters can surely see now that this isn't a good Championship squad and that it is going to be one almighty struggle this season. It always makes me wonder the thought process going on in some people's heads when they clamour for a player to be sold (or in this case be forced out) on the basis it 'makes financial sense' to sell now, get a million or two in (that won't be used to improve the squad, because even if they allowed a chunk of it to be spent on fees our wage 'model' prevents us from getting proven quality) and then a direct result of these sort of sales is potential relegation to League One and probably £10 million+ in revenue lost. There's still a lot of delusion around that we can just offload all these players, cut costs, sign equivalent or better quality and stay in the Championship (if you consider that to be some sort of achievement, I don't but the people running the club do). The penny will drop in the coming weeks only it will be too late when it does.

I'm a few rows above the sign on that - when the picture was taken, I was literally pointing out where the rat will be sat (to my lad, sat next to me), as well as the importance of why we need him out. He'll have seen it, no doubt about it.

I noticed Alebiosu was on the pitch at full time which was a good sign. I saw they sent the spinal board with the neck brace back so hopefully the injury isn't too serious. In the two league games so far I like the look of him.

Good on you Don88, and good luck to Blues this season. Our owners seem to have zero intention of going anywhere, it's rotten, an extremely frustrating and dividing situation.

There will be… it will just be sharing a ground with Darwen in non league. Balaji Rao III holding the deeds.