An interview with a Rival

Ahead of Saturday's home clash with Birminigham City, we speak to Blues fan Gabriel, who has supported the club for over 12 years.

How long have followed Birmingham City?

03/04 was my first full season, though I'd gone to the odd game before then without much enthusiasm! That year I was given the season ticket of somebody else who would be living abroad and we finished 10th in the Premier League, that was when I really got into it. Alas it's been pretty much downhill since then!

Who was your favourite ever Birmingham City player?

Not everyone will agree, but Damien Johnson. Other players might have made greater impacts in shorter periods of time, but for loyalty, commitment and a never say die attitude, it's DJ for me.

Do you have any memories of past clashes?

The first time I saw Blues play Leeds we beat you 4-1 the year you went down. Your lot scored early through Mark Viduka (who I believe also missed an open goal before then) but we won it through braces from Bryan Hughes and Mikael Forssell, who I believe played for you briefly.

Hughes was on a hat-trick when we got a pen, but Steve Bruce was a spoil-sport and insisted Forse took it!

Any present Leeds player you'd love to have in your squad this season?

I like the look of Charlie Taylor, he seems to have a decent engine. It's a player most Blues fans would want, with our left-back Jonathan Grounds often criticized, at times harshly in my view. In any case, Taylor would cost a bit too much for our budget!

Thoughts on the manager and owners of the club?

I think Garry Monk is a good manager, but I don't think any manager will succeed at Leeds while Massimo Cellino is in charge.

He doesn't show enough trust in the managers he appoints and trust is a vital commodity at any level of football. I think you're a very well-supported club and the way you've been run over the last two decades has been dreadful.

Your hopes for 2016/17?

Top half, a cup run and the introduction of some young players. Right-back Josh Cogley, winger Viv Soloman-Otabor and striker Jack Storer have all done well in pre-season. They could benefit from the absence of an obvious alternative pick in their respective positions.

Your tip for the Champions, runners up and the Playoff places?

Newcastle for the title. Brighton for 2nd place as they will have Skalak and Knockaert from the start.

I think Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Cardiff will make the play-offs, along with Huddersfield. The Terriers improved after David Wagner took over last year and despite a low budget, I feel they have the energy in the team to perform above the sum of their parts.

First managerial casualty in the Championship?

Phillipe Montanier. Fawaz Al-Hasawi has very little patience with the managers he appoints and I see this season being disastrous for Forest.

Top scorer in the Championship?

Jordan Ayew. I thought he was one of Villa's better players last year. He can finish and has a bit of pace about him too.

Score and scorers of the game vs Leeds?

1-1. Kemar Roofe has been in good form in pre-season and I like his pace so I'll say him for your lot. It's hard to say at this moment we've got anyone you'd fancy to score... maybe a Michael Morrison header. Good luck to Leeds this season.

We'd like to thank Gabriel for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him the best of luck for the season, after Saturday.

By Keith Ingham