Second City Podcast

Steve Bruce is a figure well-known on both sides of the Second City, having played for Birmingham City in the 90s and later managed the club from 2001 to 2007, before managing Aston Villa from 2016 to 2018. His time at Blues saw two promotions and some of the most iconic top-flight memories in the club's history, and his time in B6 saw him guide Villa in to the Championship play-off final. Before a short unsuccessful stint at West Bromwich Albion. So why is there debate as to whether Bruce has been a success or a failure in his management career, and what is his legacy in the Second City?

As well as dissecting the FA Cup Fourth Round just gone, this week on the Second City Podcast, Callum and Dan discuss transfers, a very exciting new commercial agreement announcement at Blues, and the most famous former players and managers they've met in-person. The guys also look ahead to Villa's trip to Sheffield United and Blues' upcoming derby against the Baggies.

00:00 - An Evening With Stephen Carr

05:40 - What We’re Wearing (Aston Villa)

10:00 - What We’re Wearing (Birmingham City)

13:56 - Chelsea vs. Aston Villa FA Cup Reaction

17:18 - Leicester vs. Blues FA Cup Reaction

22:14 - Villa Transfer News & FA Cup Draw

24:00 - Blues Sign Paik Seung-ho

26:05 - St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park Announcement

31:05 - Sheffield United vs. Aston Villa Preview

33:40 - West Brom vs. Blues Preview

Dan revels in a wonderful start to life for Tony Mowbray at Blues, giving his reaction to the FA Cup win against Hull and the victory in the Championship against Leicester. Following on from this and What We're Wearing, amidst a relatively quiet January transfer window, the duo brave the depths of footballing awfulness, the worst of the worst, and put together their worst January transfer XI for each club.

The Mowbray era has officially begun as Blues faced off against Swansea on Saturday. As well as giving their reaction to this, Callum and Dan take a look at Villa's frustrating away draw at Goodison Park, along with Villa's supposed new badge and upcoming Adidas kits, and the possible departure of Jordan James and the definite departure of John O'Shea from Blues, as well as an exciting new official partnership announced by the club

01:45 - What We’re Wearing (Aston Villa)

05:50 - What We’re Wearing (Birmingham City)

11:51 - Blues vs. Swansea Reaction

17:16 - Everton vs. Villa Reaction

23:35 - Villa: New Badge, Potential Behind The Scenes Documentary & Adidas Kits

26:10 - Blues: Jordan James Discussion & John O’Shea Departs

29:43 - Blues Partner With Oak View Group

33:09 - Upcoming Games Preview

Callum and Dan are kept on their toes with the announcement this week that former West Brom, Celtic and Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is the man to replace Wayne Rooney in B9. As well as reacting to this big news, they also discuss Villa's questionable new club badge, and react to the FA Cup 3rd Round just gone, as well as discussing some of their personal favourite FA Cup memories from years gone by.

02:43 - A Special Christmas Message

04:42 - What We’re Wearing (Aston Villa)

07:58 - What We’re Wearing (Birmingham City)

12:24 - Mowbray Is Our Man

21:19 - Villa’s New Badge?

26:34 - FA Cup Memories

29:43 - Middlesbrough vs. Aston Villa Reaction

33:29 - Hull City vs. Birmingham City Reaction

38:31 - Everton vs. Villa Preview

41:28 - Blues vs. Swansea City Preview

83 days, 15 games and just 2 wins later, Wayne Rooney has left Birmingham City. The Emergency Podcast button is hit as Dan and Callum react to the huge news bringing in the New Year, as one of England’s all-time greatest players leaves as Birmingham’s shortest ever serving manager.

Dan and Callum close out 2023 in style with the first ever in-person edition of the Second City Podcast. As well as 'What We're Wearing' and a quick look back on recent results, the duo reflect on 2023 for both Blues and Villa, and discuss their hopes and dreams for 2024.

03:30 - What We're Wearing
09:00 - Villa's Recent Results
13:19 - Recent Blues Games
16:45 - Summary of the year as a whole
22:02 - Best Game

26:42 - Best Goal

29:14 - Best Signing

33:01 - Worst Game/Low Point

36:54 - Most Improved Player

39:20 - Most Shocking Moment

41:54 - Callum's Villa XI and Best Player of 2023

44:48 - Dan's Blues XI and Best Player of 2023

48:11 - Hopes For 2024

Christmas cheer is in full swing at Second City Towers. As Villa continue their formidable run, Callum looks at the very real prospect that they could be top of the table by Christmas. Meanwhile at Blues, Dan has more reason to be positive after a better week for Wayne Rooney's men. 

Timestamps:
03:22 - What We're Wearing

13:02 - Reaction to Blues' Win Against Cardiff

15:37 - Callum Reacts to Villa vs. Mostar

21:03 - Brentford vs. Villa Reaction

36:06 - Blues' Near Miss Against Leicester

47:23 - Housekeeping

54:08 - Preview Of Christmas Week Games

Things could not be more different from each side of the tracks. Whilst Callum celebrates an historic week for Aston Villa, Dan despairs and tries to understand Blues' continued horror run of form. Callum then discusses Aston Villa's stadium plans, before the pair preview the double game week coming up for both teams.

03:39 - What We're Wearing

12:59 - Villa's Incredible Week

27:50 - Coventry vs. Blues Reaction

42:37 - Housekeeping

46:07 - Upcoming Games Preview

The Second City Podcast is back for Week 16, where Callum reacts to Villa's dramatic European night both on and off the pitch, whilst Dan breaks down another disappointing couple of games for Blues under Wayne Rooney. We also take a look at Villa's Premier League draw against Bournemouth, and the fallout of the first Open House Forum hosted by Blues' new ownership. 

02:36 - What We're Wearing

11:29 - Blackburn Rovers vs. Blues Reaction

15:15 - Villa vs. Legia Warsaw Reaction

25:16 - Blues vs. Rotherham United Reaction

32:34 - Bournemouth vs. Villa Reaction

40:25 - Blues Open House Forum

48:32 - Upcoming Games Preview