The Blue Machine

About The Blue Machine

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.

Publisher

Aaron Cartwright, Thomas Hatton, Robert Moore

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

4 Aug 2024

Latest episode

17 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

68 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Sept 2026

   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

2. 

   7 Sept 2026

   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 draw Tom Wagner’s emotional return Stansfield’s thunderbolt Liam Millar’s impressive debut Chris Davies’ reboot Squad depth Whether 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

3. 

   17 Aug 2026

   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 others How Solis, Bird, and Iwata could transform the midfield balance Why Blues now look stronger, deeper, and more adaptable than they did last season What’s still missing in attack, and why left wing and number 10 remain the key questions Why some fans are already overreacting to two games and why others think the calmer start is exactly what Blues needed They 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.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

4.9 / 5

40 ratings

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