View from the South – Birmingham City vs Blackpool

On behalf of all those involved with Joys and Sorrows, I’d like to wish all our readers a very happy and prosperous new year.

Kev

Here is Bazza’s report from our excellent win yesterday. 

I was going to have to make the trip north on my own again as my mate Will’s missus is hen pecking at his head again and had told him that he had to stay home and look after the children! 😛 I normally take the train when this happens but noted that there were three changes because of engineering works and I couldn’t face getting back at after 10.30 pm on the return journey, so I decided to drive. I called Chris at the Oak in Baginton to tell him that he didn’t need to come and collect me at Leamington Spa, and his wife Gayle answered. “Something’s happened Baz,” she said. “Do you know Chris has dropped the piano on his foot?” “Hmm,” I pondered for a moment, “You hum it and I’ll play it!” 😀 (The old ones are the best!) It turns out that Chris has actually broken his big toe and crushed the toenail. He spent all day in casualty at Warwick Hospital and though I waited as long as I could, he wasn’t back by the time I needed to leave for St Andrews, but luckily Chris had left his season ticket cards for him and Little Jack, his grandson behind so at least the little fella was able to come along to the game with me.

Fortified by a pie for me and a hot dog for Jack, we took our seats in the family paddock in the old main stand which is directly opposite where I normally sit. Zigic and King were up front with a quartet of Burke, N’Daw, Fahey and Beausejour in midfield. The back four comprised of Spector, in for Steven Carr, the returning Curtis Davies, Steven Caldwell and David Murphy with Boaz Myhill between the sticks. Blackpool’s line up included ex-Blues, Barry Ferguson and Kevin Phillips.

Birmingham started brightly putting the visitors on the back foot. King sent a good chance off the target after 12 minutes following good work by Beausejour down the flank and from another cross King failed to connect with his head with the goal gaping moments later. Blackpool were being run ragged by the Birmingham wide men and had goalkeeper Mark Howard to thank, for producing a fantastic double save on 27 minutes to first deny Davies’ downward header low down and then Nikola Zigic, who looked certain to score from the rebound.

The visitors almost caught Blues on the break from the resulting corner when they found themselves two against two. Fortunately, the Blackpool forwards’ composure did not match their pace and Birmingham escaped with a throw in deep in their half allowing the defence to regroup.

Blackpool captain Barry Ferguson twice made great blocks to deny Zigic and Burke before Davies sent a header just wide that he should by rights have netted. Blackpool have built a reputation for attractive open football and they had their moments. Ian Holloway’s team can play and Boaz Myhill made an excellent save from Ian Evatt’s header, but the visitors were not awarded the corner, as the offside flag had gone up.  Myhill was not to have known that so it was a creditable save nevertheless. The keeper was called upon again a few minutes later to prevent the stylish Elliot Grandin from scoring.

An entertaining opening 45 minutes appeared to be ending like so many others this season with Blues dominant with nothing to show for it on the score sheet. Howard denied Burke’s low drive from the edge of the area down to his left just as the sign for one minute of time added on was shown by the fourth official. Another corner resulted which the winger took. Just as I was thinking that we wouldn’t score from it as we’re unproductive from set pieces, Curtis Davies headed the cross into the bottom corner for 1-0. The lead was undoubtedly deserved although the home side left it late but better late than never.

Blues started the second half where they left off, in the ascendancy, and Burke was once again the provider of the second goal just seven minutes after the restart. A lovely defence splitting pass found King who at first looked offside but the Assistant on the far side sprinted along the sideline with his flag held steadfastly by his side allowing King to race clear. The home crowd stood up in expectation and were not disappointed as the striker’s fine finish was buried into the back of the Tilton Road net to make it six so far for the season.

I was busily sending a text to Will to inform him of the score and missed the key incident in the game a minute or so later. Barry Ferguson was shown red for an elbow on N’Daw who lay prostrate on the ground. As the Blackpool captain left the field Ian Holloway was not slow in coming forward and airing his views to referee, Craig Pawson. Clearly his views were rather too forceful as he too was invited to leave the playing arena and enjoy the rest of the match from the stands. Undoubtedly, the colourful Mr Holloway’s views will become clearer over the next day or two!

From then onwards it was a case of how many Blues would score as a one-way procession towards the Blackpool goal ensued. The visitors did try and attack when they could however and there was one hairy moment when a fizzing cross by substitute Thomas Ince across Myhill’s six yard box needed only a touch to reduce the arrears. Howard continued to keep Blackpool in the game as Zigic’s close range diving header was kept out and Murphy, Davies and Jordon Mutch all so nearly added to the score before Nathan Redmond – on in place of Chris Burke who had run himself into the ground – made it three, from the edge of the area in the 89th minute with a shot of such pace and power that even Howard had no chance. Only an offside flag against Redmond prevented Wood registering a fourth in time added on from the winger’s pass to him.

This was an excellent performance by Blues this afternoon and importantly it was for the full 90 minutes and not just one half. Without wishing to sound picky Blues could have doubled the score, such was their dominance but three welcome points and a clean sheet to boot is not to be sniffed at in the busy Christmas/New Year period. Burke was the stand out player along with man of the match N’Daw who seems to be warming to the task in central midfield. Curtis Davies did not put a foot wrong all afternoon and also deserves special mention. King worked very hard and took his goal well but should have had two others on the day. Nathan Redmond? Well what can you say? Great goal, electric pace and it was nice to see him taking his defensive responsibilities in tracking the full back when not in possession. Fahey had a good solid game and both full backs and Caldwell were assured throughout. Myhill didn’t have a great deal to do but what there was, was dealt with, with the minimum of fuss. Well done Blues; this is more like it; more of the same on Monday at Peterborough please.

The Good: The whole performance which was the best I have seen at St Andrews in the league this season.

The Bad: Still work to do regarding the chances created. Sixteen attempts with nine on target suggest that more clinical ruthlessness when it comes to finishing is needed. It has to be said in mitigation that Howard the Blackpool keeper’s performance was outstanding.

The Ugly: I didn’t see the elbowing incident so I can’t comment so this accolade will have to go to Chris’ broken toe; I’m glad it doesn’t belong to me! 🙂

Birmingham City: Boaz Myhill 7; Jonathan Spector 7, Steven Caldwell 7, Curtis Davies 8, David Murphy 7; Chris Burke 8 (Nathan Redmond 77, 7), Guirane N’Daw 9, Keith Fahey 7, Jean Beausejour 7; Marlon King 7 (Chris Wood 83, N/A), Nikola Zigic 7 (Jordon Mutch 79, 7)

Subs (not used): Colin Doyle, Liam Ridgewell.

Goals: Davies (45+1), King (52), Redmond (89)
Booking: King

Blackpool: Mark Howard 8; Alex Baptiste 7, Ian Evatt 6, Craig Cathcart 7, Stephen Crainey 7; Ludovic Sylvestre 6, Barry Ferguson 6, Matt Phillips 7, Elliot Grandin 7 (Chris Basham 56, 7); Gary Taylor-Fletcher 6 (Kevin Phillips 72, 6), Callum McManaman 7 (Thomas Ince 57, 7).

Subs (not used): Neal Eardley, Billy Clarke.

Sent off: Ferguson (55)

Referee: Craig Pawson 7: This was a game that could easily have got away from the officials after the dismissal of Blackpool’s skipper and their manager. I felt the decision making by the referee and his assistants was fair and the game was stopped only if necessary which added to an entertaining spectacle.

Attendance: 19,995 (1,143 Blackpool fans)

Happy New Year to the whole Bluenose nation; It’s been an eventful year. Let’s hope for more entertainment in 2012 hopefully with a Wembley visit in May 😀