Birmingham City prepare for hectic festive programme

Dec 18 2008 by Robert Tanner, Birmingham Post

 his comeback following an operation to correct a persistent shoulder problem.

All Blues’ goals came via trialists, one known to be Harrow Borough winger Robin Shroot.

The 20-year-old impressed the watching Blues boss and has been attracting attention from other clubs, such as Derby County, Coventry City, Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Maik Taylor has said there is more to come from second-placed Blues, who are just one point ahead of Reading going into this Saturday’s game.

“I think we would have snapped your hand off if you had offered us the position we’re in now, with the points we’ve got, at the start of the season,” said the Northern Ireland international.

“We’re pleased with the way it’s gone, but because two other teams have also had excellent starts it may not feel as good as it should be.

“I still believe there is a lot more to come from us and we will only get stronger.

“We need to maybe take control of games for longer periods than we do.

“Every team does have spells in games, you can’t really expect to dominate for the whole time, but we do tend to blow hot and cold for 45 minutes at a time, and it’s something we are addressing.

“I think you’ve got to remember that we have been down to the bare bones recently, and we’ve had a couple of difficult games at Plymouth, where the pitch was so heavy, and Preston.

‘‘Saturday, we lost and it took the gloss off what we’ve managed (seven games unbeaten), but I still think we’re entitled to look back on the first half of the season and be pleased, knowing that we can do better as well.”