VB Weekend Winners and Losers

Yes we really did do it again. Time and time again we seem to talk a good game heading into a trip somewhere other than Ewood Park - we get in the pitch and do the business, setting ourselves up a storm for a good result... and then blow it!

Sloppy defensive errors, a combination of shoddy composure and the usual misfortune contributed to send us back down the motorway with less than three points, or even one for that matter.

But there were reasons to be optimistic that we can improve on last seasons' away showings.

Here are your winners and losers for Birmingham City away.

WINNERS

Chris Samba - Excellent. As solid as they come and a fine choice as the new captain of this football club. Personally I felt that taking the on field duties off of Ryan Nelsen could have been a unnecessary luxury but it already looks as if I was wrong.

Samba lead the line extremely well (Save for their first goal) and absolutely bossed the even taller Nikola Zigic, turning the lanky Serbians home debut into a personal nightmare.

Did not deserve to be on the losing side and is already a front runner for player of the season. (Yes, I know - two games you reactionary fool.)

Nikola Kalinic - The job of a forward is a thankless task in 2010. Strikers in most teams now find themselves isolated in a 4-5-1 or a 4-2-3-1 formation and don't really bag as many goals as they should.

Strikers have found themselves needing to trade in other striking commodities . Namely standing tall, holding the ball up well and putting in the the hard yards.

In all of these attributes Niko was superb at St Andrews. The fact he continues to struggle in front of goal is turning into a joke and not a very funny one.

He seems to get into some great positions, he is even hitting the ball well (please see his stern left foot drive that Ben Foster did well to turn away) but he doesn't have that little spin of the ball that he needs to go on a goalscoring run.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, he hit the post AGAIN.

If he keeps playing like this his luck will turn as he has been cracking, if a little short of full match fitness, in the opening two games.

Morten Gamst Pedersen - His new contract seems to have had a positive effect on Morten as has his continued presence in a more central position on the field of play.

Pedersen's remains a constant danger at set pieces and his delivery on Saturday from corners, throw ins and free kicks caused all sorts of havoc.

He did manage to sneak in his one mandatory scuffed cross but apart from that he was a danger.

Rovers will always pose threats from set plays if Gamst continues to deliver like this.

LOSERS

Brett Emerton - What has happened to him?

The all singing, all dancing, all action Aussie from the World Cup has turned into a lamb.

He was bought on to replace Jones in midfield and went missing.

He was full of running as he always is but looked off the pace when on the ball and scared to put a foot in when we were on the back foot.

Will the real Brett Emerton please stand up?

Paul Robinson - Robbo looked great on the whole but no matter how much moaning he does one simple fact remains.

That was a hideous mistake for Craig Gardener's second goal and a harsh reminder that his long range shot deficiencies are not a complete forgotten memory.

Keith Andrews - Could the more cynical Rovers fan be about to have their dream come true?

Jones' promotion to defensive midfield has pushed the Irishman to the outside and as an effect, the third choice player in his position.

That's all this week's folks, sorry for the slightly late edition but if airlines wouldn't go bust then we would all lead happier lives.