Another programme article, this time from last Saturday’s game v Coventry. All content and images copyright BCFC.
By Peter Lewis
Walking out at Old Trafford to make your premier league debut at the age of 19 – it sounds like a fantasy created by the overactive imagination of a bored schoolboy.
But that dream scenario became reality for Blues’ talented teen Jordon Mutch last weekend. A boyhood Manchester United fan to boot, the Derby-born midfielder could have been excused a few butterflies as he lined up in the tunnel alongside such household names as Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs. But in fact it was water off a duck’s back for Mutch, now a veteran of almost 50 first-team appearances, notably from loan spells in the Championship at Doncaster Rovers and Watford over the last year. The confident youngster insists that he wasn’t apprehensive at all as he prepared to make his top-flight debut at the Theatre of Dreams.
“The gaffer had spoken to me earlier in the week and he gave me an indication that I might play and I knew for definite on the Friday night,” reveals Mutch, talking exclusively to Blues News after training last Monday. “But I don’t get nervous before games or in general any more. I used to when I was younger, but now I’m older I’m more mature and I’ve gone past that stage. It felt good standing in the tunnel at Old Trafford getting ready to go out but I give all opposition players the same respect, just as I did when I was at Watford and Doncaster, and I just concentrate fully on the game.
“I supported United as a kid and I’d been there to watch a couple of games. It’s a great stadium – one of the best. You can’t ask for much more for your debut than playing at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Hopefully it will be the first of many Premier League appearances. I just want to keep on working hard, doing my best in training and we’ll see what comes of it.”
Unfortunately the match itself was a rather one-sided affair as Alex Ferguson’s league leaders put Blues to the sword in merciless fashion. But the debutant certainly didn’t look out of his depth and was one of the better performers in Alex McLeish’s side. “It was disappointing because we lost, but personally I was obviously happy that I was playing and I thought I did okay,” says Mutch. “It was a tough game. It was one of those days when we conceded early and that goal put us under pressure. I gave 100 per cent on the day but we just didn’t get the right result that we wanted. The manager had a little chat with me afterwards and had some encouraging words to say to me. Obviously he was disappointed with the result, as we all were, but we can only look forward now and concentrate on putting things right in the next game. That’s the most important thing.”
It has been an eventful 12 months for the England youth international. It was around this time in 2010 that Mutch joined Doncaster and started the process of gaining valuable experience in senior level football in the competitive surroundings of the English second tier. But it was the move to Watford at the start of this season that proved the springboard for even greater success. The teenager’s reputation soared with some accomplished displays for the high-flying Hornets, chipping in with five goals in 21 starts as a regular in Malky Mackay’s midfield.
Mutch continues: “It was one of my best experiences out on loan. I started something like 18 games on the bounce playing alongside John Eustace and I created a great partnership with him. He used to hold so it gave me the freedom to get in the box, which is what the manager told me he wanted me to do when I first went there. It worked out well for me and I got a few goals. The Watford team was young and we just worked hard every day – younger players are hungry to stay in the game and make a name for themselves. It was a great experience for me.”
Mutch, who will be hoping to add to his tally of Blues appearances in today’s FA Cup tie against Coventry City, is out of contract at St. Andrew’s. McLeish has already confirmed that he is keen to keep the gifted midfielder at St. Andrew’s for the long term. And the player himself says he would like to stay.
“I want my future to be here at Birmingham.” insists the former Derby County schoolboy, who followed Blues Academy manager Terry Westley to St. Andrew’s back in 2007. “Talks are ongoing and hopefully it will be sorted soon. Terry put his trust in me, going out to buy me and bring me to the club. I hope now that I can go on and get in the first team on a great basis, which would be great boost for the Academy and Terry, as well as obviously for me.”
Sign up Jordan, Sign up !!
Jordon was fantastic for us,it’s no co-incidence we are sliding down the table now he is gone.Any chance he can come back to vicarage road til the end of the season.One man doesn’t make a team but jordon was an essential part of our jigsaw and we are lost without him!
Sorry to hear that mate, but obviously it is good for us that he was able to make a good impression in what I thought was a pretty decent side.