Chris picked me up from Coventry train station as usual and we went back to Baginton to collect Little Jack. I was talking to Chris’ seven year old grandson about our prospective opposition when the little lad suggested a comfortable win for Blues which to be fair was the prevailing view from the pundits but I was quick to point out that football rarely goes according to plan and this is one of the many reasons why we all love it so much; its unpredictability. I told Little Jack that however lowly the opposition may appear on paper, they have to be respected and whilst I felt that Blues would probably win I didn’t think it was going to be easy. Bristol City of late had won a couple of games and were scrapping for their lives to stay in the Championship and Blues would have to be careful; how prophetic that would turn out to be!
Blues started brightly enough but were taken a little bit by surprise by enterprising passing and movement from the visitors which belied their present league position. They looked a far better organised outfit than the one so easily defeated by Blues earlier in the season at Ashton Gate and it was clear this was going to have to be a hard fought win if indeed it was to be so. Zigic did have a good opportunity when put through by Burke well saved by Dean Gerken in the Bristol goal after only 12 minutes and Birmingham appeared to be getting on top when against the run of play the visitors took the lead. Slack marking and poor defending allowed Woolford to play in Pearson who opened up his body to place an excellent left footed finish past Doyle, a late inclusion for Myhill apparently injured in the warm up, into the bottom corner. Blues did try and respond and Townsend attempted a shot on goal almost immediately after the restart but fired well over. Unfortunately, Blues allowed another smash and grab raid to put them two behind on the half hour. Cisse found Jonathan Stead in the inside right position just inside the box and the striker made no mistake with a fine finish into the same corner of the net which gave Doyle no chance.
Birmingham had not played badly and were in deep trouble but they stuck to the task and finally after a series of neat passing Jordon Mutch found Marlon King in the area who’s shot from a wide angle deflected off Carey and past Gerken into the net. It was a deserved reward for their efforts but Bristol were good value for their lead nevertheless. They had soaked up the pressure and had taken advantage of the home side’s failure to close down quick enough. The second half was going to require Blues give Bristol City the hurry up. Blues did just that in the second period and Bristol didn’t look so assured as a result but they still created dangerous situations for Blues as the game became more open. Stead fired wide from a corner kick when he perhaps should have done better and Bristol City should have scored again just on the hour when Woolford was put in by Ricky Foster’s cross; only a brilliant stop from Colin Doyle prevented the game over moment. Gerken saved well from King at the other end but gradually Blues’ pressure told and after great work by Chris Burke who nutmegged his man and drove into the area before supplying a precision pass to Nikola Zigic three yards out for a tap in.
Blues pressed hard for a winner and won at least three clean headers from corners, the closest of which was from Murphy whose effort skimmed narrowly over the bar with only a few minutes left. The best chance was thwarted by Gerken who blocked Ramage’s cross when the full back had got into a similar position to Burke for the equaliser. At least three Blues attackers awaited the delivery but the goalkeeper’s strong hand prevented them benefiting. There was much huff and puff, straining of sinew and perspiration by the bucketful but alas Blues could not break down a resolute Bristol City rearguard a third time and so had to settle for a point.
The result was fair and the visitors deserved their draw for a decent performance in which they had a go at Blues and on another day could easily have won. It was a fine fight back by Blues but it was a position they should never have found themselves and this has to be looked upon as a missed opportunity for all three points. The reason why we are stumbling towards the play offs rather than automatic promotion is that there have been too many games like this against opposition that Blues should beat but have failed to do so. At home we have shared points with Barnsley, Peterborough, Brighton, Hull, Derby and now Bristol City. We have also drawn with West Ham, Southampton and Cardiff. Of these teams, the former group constitute clubs that frankly we should have beaten and I mean no disrespect to fans of those teams. So if you include the debacle against Nottingham Forest, Blues have squandered 15 points at home against teams that should have been put to the sword! Those points alone would have given us top spot with three games left. Don’t get me started on some of the away points that we have carelessly tossed away; Watford, Derby and Peterborough anyone?
We cannot dwell on what’s past we have to deal with the present situation. Blues must concentrate on coming fourth which will give us home advantage in the second leg of our semi final. It is a big ask after nearly sixty games but Blues have to find the energy reserves to press teams better than they did yesterday and then I believe they have a chance of making it to Wembley and who knows beyond in the next few weeks.
The Good: A very good, entertaining game contributed to by both sides; excellent fight back by Blues having got themselves in a pickle.
The Bad: Lack of concentration in allowing Pearson to stay onside for his strike and Stead was allowed to turn and shoot far too easily. The loss of Keith Fahey after 35 minutes; let’s hope it’s not serious.
The Ugly: The position we were in at 2-0 down and the consequences had Woolford scored on the hour.
Birmingham City: Colin Doyle 6; Peter Ramage 6, Steven Caldwell 6, Curtis Davies 6, David Murphy 7; Chris Burke 7, Jordon Mutch 6, Keith Fahey 6 (Morgaro Gomis 35, 7), Andros Townsend 6 (Nathan Redmond 76, 6); Marlon King 7, Nikola Zigic 7 (Erik Huseklepp 90, N/A).
Subs (not used): Boaz Myhill, Pablo Ibanez. Goals: King (44), Zigic (61)
Bookings: Murphy, Mutch
Bristol City: Dean Gerken 8, Liam Fontaine 6, Louis Carey 7, Kalifa Cisse 7, Andre Amougou 6, Cole Skuse 6 (Hogan Ephraim 79, N/A), Richard Foster 6, Stephen Pearson 7, Martyn Woolford 7 (Neil Kilkenny 90, N/A), Chris Wood 6, Jon Stead 7 (Albert Adomah 73, 6)
Subs (from): David James, Yanick Bolasie.
Goals: Pearson (21), Stead (33)
Referee: Keith Stroud 7: Overall had a good game although I didn’t think Murphy should have been booked. Appeared to win the ball cleanly and safely; the Bristol player writhed on the ground from minimal contact and this clearly influenced the referee’s actions; sad indictment on the game nowadays I’m afraid. Attendance: 23,230 (1,408 away fans) Bazza KRO SOTV
I don’t understand giving Zigic, a 7. It was considered,by common consent,that he was poor. He has to be told,a centre forward has to get in,where it hurts. He needs to be shown video’s of Bob Latchford or Kevin Davies,of Bolton. He would see then,how to attack balls in the area,with his head and his feet. He lacks skill,so needs to make up for his shortcomings,with hard work and courage.