Saturday’s early kick-offs are the scourge of us Fantasy Managers. I’m convinced that Sky’s 12.45 schedule is accountable for many a hasty transfer, or ill-judged team selection – prompted by the temptation of actually being able to settle down with a belated fry-up and watch your player(s) in action.
Today’s early kick-off at St Andrews was another example. Although in Birmingham’s case, our scramble to recruit two or three of their Wembley winners was surely fuelled by the allure of another tempting double fixture. I’ve got to confess however, the prospect of watching Nikola Zigic lumber about St Andrews, colliding with the fragile West Brom backline played a part in my own 11.23 decisions. I had the kettle boiling in preparation.
Suitably seduced, our ardour was immediately dampened by the sight of Zigic hunched under the plastic roof of the Birmingham bench. McLeish’s post-match obituary for his side’s miserable 3-1 defeat, revealed a groin injury for the towering Serb. Throwing him on would be too risky according to Birmingham’s medical team. You have to wonder why McLeish even named the striker on the bench then – perhaps he makes a decent wind break.
Without the knowledge of the injury during the game, we were left to watch on, awaiting a Zigic introduction. It looked inevitable as the Birmingham defence repaid our Fantasy investment by flapping and flailing haplessly under the questionable might of West Brom’s attacks. But, hampered by a “risky groin” Zigic never arrived.
The Serb looked perplexed. Frustration boiled in the McLeish veins. He should be worried – Birmingham’s defeat leaves them right in relegation mire. Last Sunday’s trophy will be rendered an almost worthless trinket should they fall any deeper.
Talking of worthless – what now for Zigic and our Birmingham back four investments? We’re now looking to Wednesday’s trip to Goodison with our hopes dependent on Zigic’s groin. Zigic’s bloody groin. That might be six foot off ground but I can’t help but think that, in my Fantasy season, it marks an all-time low.
