Fitzhugh Fella

I've watched him quite a bit and this is a reasonable analysis

OK Fair does. Honest answer? Well accepting I am biased, there is still part of me that would not write Sam off just yet. I watched him play frequently for Blackburn and Birmingham to see he certainly had what it takes for the Championship and, despite what some on here say, the fans of both clubs really appreciated him and Che Adams hardly got a look in (which he was none too pleased about). Of course there is a big difference between the two leagues but the fact there is at least one PL side "in" for him at present, plus quite a few top Championship sides sniffing, my view is shared by some managers too. He needs a break (he did not get one last year owing to injuries, relegation battle, new manager etc) but because strikers of his build and athleticism don't grow on trees, I am reluctant to write him off as a top-flight player. However I don't think he fits into RH's plans and as he is the boss I think it best Sam moves on and hopefully comes again with renewed confidence.

My post did not say that, I was merely pointing out a fact and leaving the readers to draw their own conclusion

This post is bound to provoke a fair bit of derision but I will make it anyway because I might like to revisit it one day . Just over 12 months ago Sam G was regularly keeping Che Adams out of the Birmingham starting line-up (under the 3 successive managers Birmingham had 17-18).

This. He needs to go and probably will but I think his leaving could come back to haunt us.

That is very sad and a bit of a shock for he was only still in his mid 60s. I first met him when we this forum had a meet up in the old Painted Wagon after one of the old threads reminiscing about the good old days of the Milton. Good Lad, old school.

Sam G was in line to start yesterday but did his ankle ligament in Friday's training session. Not been the luckiest of seasons for him.

I have no real idea about Gao and what agenda he has but one thing I do expect is us to struggle over the next two years while we recoup and recover from the shambolic way the club was run under Reed. I just hope RK keeps faith long enough.

But this does not take into account our Southern League days 1894-1919. In those early years when we won it 6 years in 8, the SL was the equivalent in importance to the FL

You could argue Sam has not been given a chance at all (not selected for one start). The manager admitted he was surprised at what he saw when he picked Sims so it is a great shame he didn't give at least try Sam out especially when Ings was injured and Austin and Long were struggling. He must quite like him because he didn't want him to leave in the January window which says something but as it is I think it best Sam leaves now. He's feeling particulary There is no shortage of suitors and I just hope we don't regret it. Remember it was only 12 months ago he was keeping Che Adams out of the Birmingham starting XI.

Good to meet you at last Trousers (and your nipper). We live to fight another season. Just hope the manager's hands aren't too tightly bound by lack of finance. I think the last several windows are still catching up with us. Crazy season - we sacked our manager, our Chairman and our DoF and we still survived.

This unfortunately

The two Ralphs were out for a tete a tete meal in Soton after the Brighton game, now we know the reason why. RK drove me mad with his gobblygook corporate speak and his lack of understanding of what makes fans tick, but I think his heart was basically in the right place and better the devil you know I guess

Love to have seen George Kirby at no 9 for us last night, at least he would have made sure VvD had a night to remember!

Sam is playing tonight

"too soon after Wednesday night"? Surely Man Utd also played Wednesday night?

He told me the first 10 minutes were a real struggle because he has had literally no game time this season but he felt better and fitter as the game unfolded. I tell you one thing about him he will always give you a 100% if given the chance. I am biased but I have seen enough of Sam the last two seasons (albeit it in struggling Championship sides) to feel he can offer us something.

Ask any Blackburn or Birmingham fan about the "mediocre" Gallagher and they would bite your hand off to have him back right now.

Take it from me if you asked a fan from either club they would have him back in a jiffy.

Not sure he has ever been 100% fit tbh which is a bit of a worry. But great result tonight and quite unexpected.

SuperSAINT - no longer a full member so couldn't reply to your PM but SG is due to return to full training on Monday after his two hamstring injuries. Understandably he is raring to go.

Back in full training on Monday hopefully

Good post....but Dead wood is not easy to dispense unless you fly tip.

Didn't we appoint David Jones while we were on holiday? Just because a bloke is lying on a sunbed no reason why an announcement can't be made surely? It's not as if it's going to headline grabbing anyway. I think the delay more likely to a disagreement over funds available.

You are quite wrong. Sam started 23 matches for Birmingham in the Championship and came on 10 times so was involved in 33 of the 42 games he was on their books (They had played 4 games already in the league when he joined). He was sent off once so that accounts for missing 1 match and was injured. He picked up a calf injury v Cardiff March 10th which sidelined him for 7 games. That means he was involved in every match apart from one which makes a mockery of your post. Plus I know for a fact Birmingham were desperate to sign him on a full time basis as were more than a dozen other clubs inc Wolves and Villa. If you go onto either Sam or Birmingham's Twitter pages you will see how highly the fans regard him. Finally I was at Sunday's game v Fulham and when Sam got subbed in the 75th minute he got one of the loudest standing ovations I have heard with the whole ground on their feet.