CAPTAIN’S COLUMN DION SANDERSON Good evening and welcome back to St. Andrew’s, under the lights and in front of the Sky Sports cameras! Just under a week ago we saw our undefeated record broken at the hands of Watford, which was a huge blow to us, and we felt we bounced back really well with the performance we put in against Preston North End, but it was not to be. The important thing now is how we respond to that. In both games, you could see how much it meant to us. Especially when we conceded that first goal at Vicarage Road, with some of the lads down on their knees with heads in hands. That being said, there are certainly positives to take from the games. Something that the Gaffer has empahsised is that we will not lose many games playing the way we did versus Preston. This last week has been tough but, with three games in six days, you have to move on quickly, and it is my job to help pick the lads up and make sure we go again. One of our greatest strengths as a squad is our confidence, and we will certainly not let that drop. In a way, it could end up being a positive for us in the sense that our unbeaten run had to end at some point, and now we can kick on from there and take each game as it comes. We are inevitably going to experience tough losses like these during the course of the season, so we need to learn how to react to it and hit back. On a personal note, I must say that I have loved the ‘Sandersoooon, Dion!’ chants that you lot have been singing non-stop over these last couple of games. When it was first sung at Watford, I had to look over my shoulder at the away end to make sure I was hearing it right! As well as that, the fact that you all continued singing your hearts out as soon as we conceded at Vicarage Road, and again after the full-time whistle at Deepdale, was amazing. Most sets of fans would have been disappointed or annoyed, but you backed us all the way to the end. Looking at tonight’s opponents, Queens Park Rangers, they have had a tough start to the season but, just like us, they will be coming into the game with three points in their crosshairs. They are an established side at this level, and you can be sure that we will not underestimate anybody in the Sky Bet Championship. That being said, it is obviously an opportunity to get back to winning ways. We did the double over the R’s last season, including a big 2-0 win here at St. Andrew’s which came when they were second in the league. I hope for a similar result this time around. This matchday, we are also honoured to be supporting the Help Harry Help Others charity. Harry was a remarkable young Blues supporter whose life was tragically cut short by brain cancer aged just 11. Before his passing, he dedicated himself to fundraising by selling handmade bracelets, a mission that his family and HHHO have continued in his name. There will be a HHHO bracelet on every seat tonight, and we encourage people to donate to this wonderful charity that helps support people suffering with cancer in the name of Harry, who will forever be a Bluenose. Keep Right On! Dion Sanderson 10 | BLUES NEWS BIRMINGHAM CITY V QUEENS PARK RANGERS
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