Thin and Thinner

Blues have just this minute lost 2-0 to West Bromich Albion, who are bottom of the table. We did hit the post just after they scored their first goal, but we were woeful from first whistle to last. For the umpteenth time this season our second-half performance was dire - apparently 21 of our 31 goals have come in the first half, which puts us third behind Chelsea and Arsenal in that league. For all of the injuries and other problems this season, clearly the management cannot inspire the troops at half time.

We have nine games left, and after this weekend's results, where Southampton and Albion both won, and Palace managed to draw, the gap is down to eight points. We clearly need at least two more victories - they'll both come at home if they come at all - and maybe at the end of the season I'll look back and laugh at ever seriously contemplating relegation, but right now it's looming in my mind.

The other thing is it's our first Premiership defeat in a derby match - prior to this we'd beaten Villa three times and drew once, beat Albion twice and drew once, and drew twice with Wolves. In a fortnight's time we have the Villa at home, and sooner or later our record is going to go.

We're going to see Blues against Portsmouth on 16th April. The rate we're going, we'll still be on 32 points then, and embroiled in the relegation mire.

I said just before the Villa game in December that I was considering giving up football. Big words, but it won't happen - not while I live in this country at any rate. Personally I'm surprised I still let them wind me up and let me down - life is more important than an incompetent football club with a pathetic history, yet disappoint they still manage to do, even when it's not key matches and penalty shootouts...