The Blue Machine

Aaron Cartwright, Thomas Hatton, Robert Moore
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The Blue Machine: The Optimist - Aaron Cartwright The Realist - Tom Hatton The Pessimist - Rob Moore Three unique viewpoints on everything related to Birmingham City, brought together to form a plethora of debate, disagreements and ridiculous moments.

  1. Oct 26

    Only Pod When We're Losing

    The Pessimist returns, the weather is miserable, and Blues are suddenly back to the terrible team that we had all of those years ago - or are they? After a brutal away day at Cardiff, the Blue Machine separate overreaction from reality, and the conversation gets properly stuck into what this squad still needs to push on. Tom, Rob, and Taz break down the Cardiff performance, the debate around Chris Davies, and why one bad afternoon does not erase an excellent run of away form. They dig into the numbers behind the result, the impact of wind and conditions, and why some fans are far too quick to turn on Vázquez after a handful of appearances. You'll discover: Why Cardiff looked far better than their league position suggestedWhere Blues were actually beaten: pressing, midfield control, and second ballsThe real argument for and against Vázquez, Priske, Ducksch, and StansfieldWhich positions matter most in January, and why a No. 10 might be the priorityHow Chris Davies has evolved the team from last season's away-day fragility There is also a full-throttle debate about derby games, with the lads comparing Blues vs Villa to Rangers vs Celtic, Newcastle vs Sunderland, Southampton vs Portsmouth, and other rivalries that genuinely split fanbases. And because this is the Blue Machine, there are quizzes, chaos, and a reminder that Tom recently paid to cure his spider phobia at London Zoo, only to get mocked for spending 300 quid to hold a tarantula. There are also stories about refereeing, Coton, Lincoln, and a very strange bonus question involving Banbury United that no one saw coming. Perfect for Blues fans who want honest post-match analysis, a few laughs, and a grounded take on where Birmingham City really are. If you missed the last few pods, this is the one to jump back in with.

    Only Pod When We're Losing

  2. Sep 17

    The Redemption Arc

    Birmingham City look sharper, tougher, and far more dangerous than they did last season — but are they wasting the chance to turn good performances into a genuine promotion push? Taz, Tom & Jon break down the Blues’ new identity, the missed chances that are keeping games close, and why this team suddenly feels built to cause problems for anyone in the Championship. The lads dig into the biggest talking points from a run of demanding fixtures, including the frustrating defeat at Norwich, the hard-earned win at Derby, and what those results say about Chris Davis’ side under pressure. They also debate the way Chris Davis has evolved the team into a more direct, physical, aggressive outfit that is starting to earn respect. You’ll discover why Bright Osayi-Samuel has become one of the standout stories of the season, how James Beadle is growing into the No. 1 role, and why the defence — from Phil Neumann to Alex Cochrane — is beginning to look like a proper unit. The lads also gets into the form of the wide players and what Birmingham still need up front if they’re going to convert pressure into points. We also tackle the heat around Jay Stansfield, Kyogo Furuhashi comparisons for Vazquez, the question of whether Blues need an attacking coach, and whether Chris Davis is actually one of the most unsackable managers the club has ever had. #KRO #BCFC

    The Redemption Arc

  3. Sep 7

    How Do You Like Your Toast?

    The Blue Machine are back... Blues have shown they can go toe-to-toe with promotion contenders — but is this the start of a special season, or just a brilliant run in a brutal Championship opening? Taz, Tom & Jon break down: The Wolves drawTom Wagner’s emotional returnStansfield’s thunderboltLiam Millar’s impressive debutChris Davies’ rebootSquad depthWhether Blues have what it takes to push for the top eight. Plus: predictions for Norwich and Derby, tactical debate, transfer frustrations, conspiracy theories, toasters, balaclavas, and the usual unfiltered fan chat. #KRO #BCFC #FEA

    How Do You Like Your Toast?

  4. Aug 17

    BLUES ARE BACK

    The Blue Machine are back: minus Rob but with the addition of Barrington aka Jon. In keeping with the AI theme, this is what it said this weeks episode is about (if you ask us it's way too formal for us gimps: Birmingham City are building something real - and this episode makes the case for why the optimism is justified. From a smarter away-day approach to a reshaped midfield, a growing confidence in Chris Davies, and the kind of squad depth Blues fans have been crying out for, this is the clearest sign yet that the season could look very different.The panel breaks down what changed at Sheffield United and why the performance mattered even in a 0-0 draw, plus what the Swansea win revealed about the new identity taking shape. There’s also a sharp debate about the summer recruitment, including the impact of John Solis, Max Bird, Tomoki Iwata, Dale Fry, Ethan Laird, Christoph Klarer, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and George Hall - and whether the club still needs that one creator in the number 10 role.You’ll discover: Why the Beadle loan makes sense to some and frustrates othersHow Solis, Bird, and Iwata could transform the midfield balanceWhy Blues now look stronger, deeper, and more adaptable than they did last seasonWhat’s still missing in attack, and why left wing and number 10 remain the key questionsWhy some fans are already overreacting to two games and why others think the calmer start is exactly what Blues neededThey also tackle the bigger stuff: the club shop, the new kit, ticketing, the creeping corporate feel around the matchday experience, and whether Birmingham are in danger of losing some of the soul that made the fanbase tick in the first place. It’s funny, argumentative, and full of proper fan insight - the kind of episode that captures exactly where Blues are right now.Essential listening if you want the honest, unfiltered version of Birmingham’s start to the season - and a proper read on where this squad could go next.

  5. Jun 2

    That's A Wrap

    We are back for the last dance of the 2025/26 season as we wrap up what was an entertaining campaign both on and off the field for The Blue Machine. We bring to you the coveted 'End of Season Alternative Awards', with some cracking nominations - and we say farewell to Barrington Decor with some more nonce-nse questions for one last time before his sponsorship ends. Listen. Watch. Enjoy. Blues. #KRO #BCFC #FEA

    That's A Wrap

  6. May 4

    International Men of Mystery

    The Blue Machine pod is BACK after an extended period out due to holidays, work trips and the general business of life. We'll let you listen and enjoy our ramblings as we go between the final run of results, to reshaping the squad and most important - should he stay or should he go? Thanks as always to Barrington Decor for their continued sponsorship of the pod, and if you are interested in getting involved for next season drop us a comment / DM and we will be in touch. #KRO #BCFC #FEA

    International Men of Mystery

  7. Mar 30

    Keep Pounding The Rock

    The Blue Machine are back with an international break pod - because we don't just pod when we're winning / losing / having a meltdown. We look forward to a Bank Holiday double header as we chat: Blackburn & Ipswich PreviewsSalty Ex-Player InterviewsDo We Back The CD Proj?Listener Questions (+ Barrington the Filth Bag)We hope you enjoy this weeks pod, and look forward to The Blue Machine being back on Friday. The next pod will be with you post Ipswich, so stay tuned. Thanks as always to Barrington Decor for their continued support of the pod. #KRO #BCFC #FEA

    Keep Pounding The Rock

  8. Mar 23

    Buy John, Not Jhon

    In a quick turnaround, The Blue Machine are back and we have a jam packed episode full of: Derby Defeat & Football TerrorismWhat Happens Next?Rest of the Season ObjectivesExtended Listener QuestionsThis one was great fun to record, with plenty of heated debate and we hope that you enjoy listening. Make sure to subscribe to our Spotify and drop your comments in the chat to give us your thoughts. Thanks as always to our pod sponsor Barrington Decor for their continued support of our work! #KRO #BCFC #FEA

    Buy John, Not Jhon
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About

The Blue Machine: The Optimist - Aaron Cartwright The Realist - Tom Hatton The Pessimist - Rob Moore Three unique viewpoints on everything related to Birmingham City, brought together to form a plethora of debate, disagreements and ridiculous moments.

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron Cartwright, Thomas Hatton, Robert Moore
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Aaron Cartwright, Thomas Hatton, Robert Moore
  • Show Website
    The Blue Machine

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