Enforcer's enforced absence

Calm heads - that's what Mackem 'keeper Craig Gordon's called for ahead of Sunday's derby at the Dark Place. But we'll be deprived of the services of someone whose head was definitely not calm during Saturday's humiliation at the hands of Stevenage, Cheik Tiote's red card and subsequent three-match ban having been unsurprisingly upheld by the FA despite our protestations. The Ivorian's proved himself a superb signing for us thus far this season - but perhaps this episode might teach him to be a little more cautious in the tackle.

From one player who won't be seeing action for some time to a few who did last night. Transfer target Sebastian Larsson was selected by Alex McLeish for the first leg of Birmingham's League Cup semi-final tie with West Ham, and impressed me with a succession of beautifully flighted set-pieces, one of which was converted by Liam Ridgewell for the Blues' equaliser. The Swede then suffered a double blow, first finding himself the victim of a petulant boot from the Hammers' Victor Obinna and then seeing his side slip to a 2-1 defeat to the ten men. Perhaps he would be a reasonable addition to our squad after all, someone who could occupy the right and allow ASBO to move inside. Having two set-piece specialists in the side would play to our current strengths - namely, Rocky...

Meanwhile, loaned-out defenders Tamas Kadar and Matthew Grieve enjoyed contrasting fortunes. The Hungarian got off to a winning start as Huddersfield fought back from 2-0 down to beat Plymouth, Town boss Lee Clark et al no doubt delighted to see opposing manager Monkey's Heed banished to the stands. Grieve, however, suffered more misery by the Mersey, scoring an own goal as Rotherham struck twice late on to plunder an unlikely point in a 3-3 War of the Roses battle with Lancastrians Stockport.