Thoughts On The Blues with Simon Brew | An independent Birmingham City podcast

On Thursday 17th September, Birmingham City held the latest of its Open House sessions at St Andrews (at Knighthead Park.) The big takeaway from the evening was changes to the Sports Quarter project, and that Chris Davies has been sent the picture of himself from the end of the Derby County game. But there was much else to talk about too. Somehow, Simon Brew got a ticket. Taking with him a sizeable bag to collect, er, 'souvenirs' while nobody was looking, here's his report from the evening... --- MY BIRMINGHAM CITY BOOK (independent!) OUT NOW: www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbookprint for print version www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbook for Kindle version version Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following defeat at Norwich City, Chris Davies took the Blues to Derby County for our second EFL Championship away game on the bounce. This one went better. It went on for hours, granted, but goals from Carlos Vicente and Paik Seung-ho helped us get over Luis Vazquez's aversion to putting the ball into an empty net. Meanwhile, John Eustace looked stern, Christoph Klarer and Phil Neumann must be knackered, and Birmingham City have their second win of the season. In this latest episode, Simon Brew rounds it all up... --- MY BIRMINGHAM CITY BOOK (independent!) OUT NOW: www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbookprint for print version www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbook for Kindle version version --- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Birmingham City took their unbeaten record in the league to Carrow Road, for a midweek EFL Championship fixture against Norwich City. The teamsheet looked thin, with Patrick Roberts and Demarai Gray on the injury list, Alex Cochrane on the bench, Kristoffer Lund getting a start and two goalkeepers in reserve. The game? Well, we went for it, but the Blues hit three key problems. In the latest Thoughts On The Blues, Simon Brew looks at the offside goal, the Norwich double response, and a Kyogo moment for Carlos Vicente as well... Plus: Sky. A few words there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first local derby of the season, shifted by Sky Sports to a Sunday lunchtime. Blues found themselves up against Wolverhampton Wanderers, for a lunchtime EFL kick-off where we'd learned ahead of time that Jhon Solis was injured. Were we on the back foot? Initially so when Wolves too the lead. But it all turned into a memorable afternoon at St Andrews (at Knighthead Park), with the emotional return of Tom Wagner, and a frenetic draw that neither side will forget in a hurry. Not just for the debut of Liam Millar, either. Simon Brew rounds everything up. Well, he will do, once he's stopped laughing... --- MY BIRMINGHAM CITY BOOK (independent!) OUT NOW: www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbookprint for print version www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbook for Kindle version version Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The transfer window slams shut with just Liam Millar added to the ranks, as Birmingham City took to EFL Championship action against Southampton. Last season, there was a gap between the two teams, and Chris Davies needed a home performance to help steady things too. In then for his first start of the season came Patrick Roberts. Begging the question: why has he played so little football for us of late? Whatever the reason, Blues fought out a 1-1 draw in an entertaining game. Simon Brew reflects on the game, on deadline day, and what lies ahead at home to Wolves... --- MY BIRMINGHAM CITY BOOK (independent!) OUT NOW: www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbookprint for print version www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbook for Kindle version version Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the game that nobody from Birmingham was calling the Hollywood Derby, Wrexham welcomed a shellshocked Birmingham City side for a Friday night EFL Championship game where the Blues needed a result, and needed a performance. With Chris Davies under immense pressure, BCFC supporters needed a happy end to a rotten week. And boy, did we get one. In this episode of Thoughts On The Blues, Simon settles down with paintstripper wine to talk about our new star striker, Phil Neumann, our set pieces, James Beadle, the fact that Sky seemed to, er, 'not be fans', and a first league win of the season... --- MY BIRMINGHAM CITY BOOK (independent!) OUT NOW: www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbookprint for print version www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbook for Kindle version version Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buckle up. Birmingham City won't be winning the Carabao Cup this season, courtesy of an absolute horror show at home to Brentford. The Blues have now shipped eight goals at home in four days, and against Premiership opposition, barely laid a glove on their opponents. Is that it for Chris Davies now? Where does this leave BCFC? And with Wrexham coming up on Friday, is it time for change? Simon Brew, when he's finished crying, shares a few thoughts... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first competitive match at St Andrew's (at Knighthead Park) for nearly four months, and a full house was ready for the visit of Bristol City. After two ground out away performances, this was the moment for Chris Davies to take the handbrake off. The same line-up, Jay Stansfield still on the wing. Paik behind August Priske. Marvin Ducksh on the bench, too. A game there for the taking. So why didn't we take it? Er, glad you asked... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ah, here we go. Bramall Lane. The EFL Championship opener. Sheffield United playing host to a Birmingham City, who have a good away performance this season already under their belt. Chris Davies and Chris Wilder went head to head, and it turned out to be a game where James Beadle, Jhon Solis, Patrick Bamford and Bright Osayi-Samuel ended up as talking points. As well as a very welcome shot or two from Jay Stansfield. Simon Brew, who'd been off to see, er, Mrs Doubtfire The Musical on the same day, has some thoughts to share... MY BIRMINGHAM CITY BOOK (independent!) OUT NOW: www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbookprint for print version www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbook for Kindle version version Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MY BIRMINGHAM CITY BOOK (independent!) OUT NOW: www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbookprint for print version www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbook for Kindle version version Birmingham City are back, in round one of the Carabao Cup (or whatever it's called!.) Thoughts On The Blues with Simon Brew is also back for the new season, and what's this? A 1-0 win? A shot? A clean sheet? This'll never catch on. Simon catches up with the action, chats about transfer market activity, and wonders what's gone wrong with Swansea City's mascot... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a very special extra episode of Thoughts On The Blues, Simon Brew invites the brilliant Ryan Deeney for a chat about Birmingham City's season. Relive all the highlights! The dribbling defeat to Derby. The Millwall away performance. The sorrows. But also! The wins! The hope! The unsung heroes! And where does the 2025/26 season leave The Blues? Could - whisper it - next year be the year?! --- Find Ryan Deeney's Substack at https://afootballblogbyryandeeney.substack.com/ --- MY BIRMINGHAM CITY BOOK (independent!) NOW UP FOR ORDER: www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbook --- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It started at home to Ipswich Town back in August, but Birmingham City's season ended at Fratton Park, with an away game against Portsmouth. Simon Brew returns with Thoughts On The Blues to talk about the game, about August Priske's first goal, about a massive punch-up, and a hot water tap.... MY BIRMINGHAM CITY BOOK (independent!) NOW UP FOR ORDER: www.tinyurl.com/bcfcbook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Birmingham City (men's team) took to the field at St Andrew's (at Knighthead Park, obviously) for the final time this season, in a home game against Bristol City. When the fixtures were originally published, there was a hope that this game might mean more than it did, but hey! Here we are. Simon Brew was there, in Block 37, and still searching for hot water in the men's bogs. This time, he chats Phil Neumann, Chris Davies, Jhon Solis, and a very strange opposition mascot (UPDATE: which I've now been told isn't Bristol City's at all, but is a Birmingham Alabama promotion. Crikey.) To support Sarah's half-marathon, the link is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sarahs-birmingham-half-marathon Thank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The penultimate home game of Birmingham City's 150th year season saw Preston North End head to St Andrews (at Knighthead Park) for a game that, realistically, meant precisely nothing. An end of term dead rubber, two mid-table teams, and the emptiness away end seen in a long time. Simon Brew took his usual seat in Block 37 for a 2-1 home win, where Ibrahim Osman excelled, and Blues took the most bizarre attacking free kick seen in some time. All rounded up in the latest episode of Thoughts On The Blues... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Birmingham City went to Hull City in the EFL Championship for a match that meant very little to Blues, but a hell of a lot to Hull, who sit in the play-off places. Chris Davies picked an unchanged side, and Simon Brew wasn't quite sure what to expect. But, as he talks about in this episode of Thoughts On The Blues, what we got was a third straight battling performance against a top six side. A Tomoki Iwata screamer. And that ongoing sense of where was all of this when it mattered...! --- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the point when result don't really matter so much to the Blues anymore, Birmingham City have re-discovered how to play football. At home to Wrexham in the EFL Championship, they secured a 2-0 win, with goals from Carlos Vicente and Christoph Klarer. And there was precious little to moan about. Simon Brew has a go anyway, in the latest episode of Thoughts On The Blues. Plus: a bit of Jay Stansfield appreciation too. Keep right on... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the debacle at home to Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City travelled to Portman Road in the EFL Championship to face high flying Ipswich Town. Struggling for shots, goals and points, The Blues were very much the underdogs, and the form book suggested an easy home win. But! For the second time this season, BCFC took the game to ITFC, and were left discussing a contentious decision from the officials. Chris Davies, for one, wasn't happy. Simon Brew returns with the latest episode of Thoughts On The Blues to try and make sense of it all... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was Peaky Blinders day at St Andrews (at Knighthead Park) for the EFL Championship fixture between Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers. The Blues needed a reaction after the season-worst showing at Derby County, and manager Chris Davies had promised one. In the latest Thoughts On The Blues, Simon Brew considers a poor home defeat, James Beadle heroics, a stolen burger, and wonders where the season went... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ah well. Birmingham City went to Derby County for a lunchtime kick-off in the EFL Championship, as John Eustace's team aimed to further their play-off push. For Chris Davies' Blues, this was to be the game where we got our act together and really showed everyone what we were made of. In the latest Thoughts On The Blues, Simon Brew recaps the game, wonders about that team selection, and suspects that it might just have been an end of an era game of football.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Birmingham City met Sheffield United at home in the EFL Championship on 14th March 2026. A winnable game (for both sides) that looked to have turned with a sending off and a Marvin Ducksh goal in the first half. But it didn't quite pan out that way. We had Jack Robinson and the penalty, James Beadle on top form, Patrick Bamford trolling the Blues fans, and, well, more questions for Chris Davies and his team. In the latest Thoughts On The Blues, Simon Brew has some thoughts... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.