THE LINE-UP
McFadden's missus wasn't up to having more kiddie-poos over the weekend, so back into the starting line-up went he, with Zarate moving to the bench.

JUST AS WE HAD HOPED
The first half went as we had all hoped it would, with Blues controlling the game and going in front via an astute piece of left peg work by McFadden.

What a terrific signing McFadden is. He was head and shoulders above the other 21 players on the field in the first half, oozed class, was cool under pressure, and gave the Newcastle defence a torrid time. His goal made Faye look decidedly pathetic. Some think he is anyway.

JUST AS WE HAD FEARED
So there we were on cruise control and likely to score a second at any time, when Larsson got crocked . . . by Nicky Butthead I believe. Seb didn't return for the second half and we lost our shape.

We went from "Coursing with desire" to coursing with fear. Well kinda anyway.

A TALE OF TWO HALVES
If we won the first half, then it was Newcastle who won the second. Yes, we're a much better football team these days, and can spray it around a bit, but you could see Aitken and McLeish on the touchline trying to come up with a formula to put the fire back in blue hearts.

Personally I was sorta hoping that Zarate would replace Seb, but McLeish knows better and played 'safe' with the introduction of Parnaby. Jerome came on got the crowd back in it, then Zarate joined the fray. I seem to recall he only had the ball on the floor once, and although beating defenders easily, shot wide from distance.

PLAYERS THAT CLOCKED IN FOR WORK
Pretty much all of them with the exception of McSheffrey on the face of it. He tried hard, but didn't get the rub of the green tonight . . . he needed that little bit of Irish luck to make an impact.

Of particular note were the back four of Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell and Murphy. They do need to anticipate a rebound from Maik Taylor when opposing forwards get a shot in though. The same happened against Portsmouth, so just keep moving boys! The Newcastle goal was somewhat opportunistic, and no one player can be singled out as having given Owen an easy route to goal.

Johnson plugged away industriously in midfield as always, but it would be nice to see Nafti given the opportunity of filling that role now and again. I suggest this as the Tunisian seems to have more of an eye for a defence splitting pass. Something we've lacked since the loss of Dunn and Kilkenny.

Forssell to my mind looked off the pace tonight, but he'll be back. Perhaps Zarate could have have replaced him earlier in the game?

IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE
On the face of it, if the Geordie kit designer had have gotten rid of those cumbersome black stripes, things might have been much worse for us.

The points we lost tonight will be re-gained at Reading on the weekend, so all will be well in our blue world!

John Baker, Boise, Idaho

Got comments, thoughts, suggestions or abuse? Please e-mail me.

Lost 4-2?! . . . yer havin' a laff. The team continues to improve, but we won't be home and dry for a while. Here's what I thought of what transpired via my magic picture box. . . 

THE LINE-UP
Zarate was in as McFadden had just had a baby. Must say his figure is still good from what I saw when he came on loike. OK, so now we'd see what Zarate is capable of for a sustained period of time as he obviously is a great talent.

PRE MATCH
I watched closely as 'appy 'Arry handed out brown paper parcels near the Blues dugout, and Big Mac appeared to be admiring a new Rolex at the end of the game. 'Ere! Do you think there's a connection?!

THE NUMBER 8 BUS TO OBLIVION?
So, two down in the first 10 minutes and we're about to be sent into oblivion. Thing is, this is not a Steve Bruce team any more thank goodness.

If I've noticed one thing about these players of late, it's their increase in self confidence. McLeish has publicly stated that that is where it starts. Look at McSheffrey. He's starting to get involved like we knew he could, and before long he's going to knock in a goal or two.

THE PENALTY
Referees either have to penalise every conceivable handball in the penalty area, including all of those made all the Villa keepers, or discern between ball to hand, and hand to ball. Murphy's was ball to hand. So was the Portsmouth defender's in the second half which the ref missed. Portsmouth should have had another when Ridge took out Baros anyway.

THE SECOND GOAL
From where I was sitting I thought our defence enjoyed watching the save Taylor made from Muntari. So, I changed chairs, replayed the action in slow mo, and it still looked that way . . . none of our defenders anticipated a parried shot, and the Pompey player who did showed us how it's done. 2-0.

THE COMEBACK
The Blues showed great character in getting back into the game, and it's something we've not seen much of in recent years. Was it the coaching I wonder? Well done to Muamba for your first Blues goal, and to that little blonde blue-hearted machine Larsson.

THE THIRD GOAL
What's all this crap about it being Ridgewell's fault? He had players in front of him who unexpectedly missed the ball, and thus it hit him on the thigh. Lucky bounce for a Portsmouth forward and it's 3-2. In any case, it should have been Taylor's ball. Is Nigel Spink coaching at Blues again?

THE FOURTH GOAL
Jaidi was a monster for most of the game, and I mean that in the nicest possible way, but it was he who passed to a player in cover, and he who didn't track Kanu on the blind side. Oh well, one could always blame Ridgewell.

Talking of Ridgewell and his apparent blunders, he'll stay in the team because I reckon that McLeish sees things in a balanced light and doesn't listen to the skewed opinions of the few. Those folk do Birmingham City Football Club and players no favours at all.

ZARATE . . . I HAVE A DASTARDLY, BUT LOGICAL, PLAN!
He's far more talented than most, but as yet he's not a team player, and it shows. But, have you noticed how he can bring the ball out of defence to the opposition box with defenders afraid to tackle in case he gives them the slip? You have?! OK, we're talking a very good ATTACKING MIDFIELDER here.

'Dear Big Mac, I have an idea . . . why not try Zarate in an attacking midfield role? Thanks for listening. Love, John [and 50,000 other Blues fans I suppose]

JOHNSON'S TACKLE
Oh dear, it was bad to be honest, and probably a lot less 'innocent' than Tiny's misjudgment. Without a break involved it doesn't warrant more media attention as they want glitz. Dear oh dear.

THE SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE
Not that the first was bad, but we pretty much controlled Pompey the probable FA Cup winners. Please note that we've also done a nice number on the current League Cup winners, wink, wink, know wot I mean guvnor! What was that geezer's name again? Steve Brown or somebody or other?

The players looked fit, capable, tenacious and confident. What more does one need besides goals? Well done Alex McLeish for a job well done thus far.

The number 8 bus doesn't go to oblivion anyway. It just keeps coming back at ya'!

John Baker, Boise, Idaho

Got comments, thoughts, suggestions or abuse? Please e-mail me.