Once again it’s been a while since I’d managed to get to a game. I wasn’t able to go to the Reading match as we had guests and after our purple patch of wins it was disappointing to see us relinquish a lead and get nothing in the end. Defeats always seem so much worse just before an international break but that’s football. Less said about the Hull City game the better. I’ve only ever been up there once and we lost by the same score that day. It’s a long way to go to watch your team lose with a whimper but there again that is the price we pay for being football fans. Coventry away is a game I would normally endeavour to get to but as usual the tickets were sold out when I looked, not that I could have gone anyway as I had had to spend the day getting my disabled cousin to an outpatient appointment at the No Hope Hospital in the afternoon.
I missed the train that I wanted to get coming back and so ironically found myself on the train at Coventry just as the match was about to kick off. I could get the game on SKY Go on my iPad or phone so had to content myself with intermittent commentary on the Blues App and reports from Chris by phone. He had been invited to share a box at the ground and so enjoyed a nice hot curry and the chance to neck a couple of beers; alright for some it seems! Apart from half time the only time Chris called me was just as I was getting indoors with seven minutes left of the game to tell me that Ryan Woods had been sent off. On with the telly and I watched the remaining nervy 13 minutes which the boys negotiated for a creditable 0-0 draw against an inform Sky Blues team.
Moving on to the present, Blackpool presented the next challenge at St Andrews and to say I was a little apprehensive about the prospect is an understatement. The injury list in a thin squad is taking its toll and the suspensions of Gardner and Woods have depleted us even more. If our first choice players are fit and available, we are a match for anybody in the Championship but when, as we are, having to rely on academy players, however talented, against seasoned professionals, it makes me less than optimistic.
Over the years, our record against Blackpool is not exactly stellar so it was more with hope rather than expectation that I prepared for the journey. The weather was wretched; cold, wet and breezy; elements guaranteed to spoil a decent game of football. However, inclement weather can be a great leveller so maybe our chances might be a little better? Ultimately, it would depend on guts and determination; something I am sure Lee Bowyer would have them prior to crossing the white line.
The train from Blackwater was a couple of minutes late but fortunately it did not affect the timings too much and I arrived at Coventry station on time where Chris picked me up. A quick pint at the pub whilst Chris finished some last minute chores and it was off to the ground accompanied by little Jack and his younger brother Seb. We ran into traffic on the A45 so it was necessary to take a rather circuitous route via the the Kenilworth road to avoid it.
We got to St Andrew’s a little later than we’d hoped and had to settle for a pint inside the ground instead. It was a bitterly cold day and the swirling wind did nothing for the football’s quality. I was concerned although delighted to see Krystian Pedersen back in the team following his hamstring strain. The cold conditions are never great for that type of injury but as it turned out he came through it alright. The back three comprised of Roberts, Sanderson and Pedersen. Jordan Graham and Jeremie Bela fulfilled the wing back roles and it was good to see young Jordan James get a start alongside Sunjic and Riley McGree. Captain, Troy Deeney and Scott Hogan completed the team assembly.
This was not the greatest game of football. The swirling wind, the freezing conditions never help quality on these occasions but there was the odd moment in the half to warm the cockles but most occurred in the first fifteen minutes. Bela tried his luck with a rasping shot from 30 yards after barely forty seconds and the ball missed the top corner by a matter of inches hitting the side netting the wrong side of Grimshaw’s right hand post. A long throw from Mark Roberts in the eight minutes was flicked on by Pedersen which the keeper did well to push over the bar.
Blackpool also had a couple of moments most notably when Gary Madine stuck a foot out from a cross that flew only just over the bar. Otherwise, I would agree with the lady that rang BBC WM radio after the game who described the first half as dire. I would not disagree. On balance Blackpool looked the better side in the first period without seriously threatening. A lot of attempted crosses and shots tended to sail long due to the wind which was definitely in the visitors’ favour in the first half.
Blues enjoyed the said advantage in the second half and were able to pin Blackpool back a little more easily. However, we came out second best in too many midfield duels following good approach play which allowed the Tangerines to clear and relieve pressure. Gradually, Blues were getting more joy down the left flank with Pedersen, who had an excellent game both going forward and in his timely defensive work, prominent.
The game remained attritional with Blackpool defending stubbornly but still offering threat going forward and they almost scored when a shot by substitute, Josh Bowler, deflected through Sanderson’s legs and a goal was prevented only by a smart, instinctive save from Sarkic. The game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw. Lee Bowyer changed things with the introductions of Chuks Aneke for Bela and Lukas Jutkiewicz for Troy Deeney. This allowed for a change of formation from 3-5-2 to a 4-(diamond) 4-2. This seemed to give us a bit more dynamism in midfield and on 81 minutes, Pedersen got in behind the Blackpool rearguard down our left to hang up a cross which Jordan James attacked. His goal bound header was deflected off Jutkiewicz’s thigh past the helpless Grimshaw. The Blackpool players ran over to the referee and assistant in protest claiming Jutkiewicz was offside. I have to confess I felt they had a case but the officials were resolute and the goal stood. I’ve watched the footage and I’m still not sure but if he was offside it was tight. After all that’s happened to us recently (the ball being out at Hull for instance) if we did get away with one, I’ll take it. So, in the end, a little fortuitous perhaps but a welcome win nevertheless. A draw in truth would have been fair but football like life isn’t sometimes.
(Kev edit, it’s been proven that Juke was clearly onside – so no controversy!)
The Good: Grinding out a win in the adversarial circumstances of multiple injuries and suspensions, blustery conditions and bitter cold.
The Bad: The weather, the traffic and the fact that the Cookhouse has not returned to St Andrew’s. The catering has therefore returned to the lowest level of mediocrity!
The Ugly: My prospects of getting home when the 18.25 and then the 19.25 trains to Reading were cancelled due to the weather leaving me effectively stranded. Many thanks go to Chris and Gayle for kindly rescuing me, providing a welcome hot meal and a bed for the night.
Birmingham City: Matija Sarkic 7, Krystian Pederson 8, Marc Roberts 6, Dion Sanderson 6, Ivan Sunjic 6, Jeremie Bela 6 (Chuks Aneke 66, 6) Riley McGree 7, Jordan Graham 6 Jordan James 6, Scott Hogan 6, Troy Deeney 6 (Lukas Jutkiewicz 74, 6)
Subs not used: Neil Etheridge, Juanito Castillo, Marcel Oakley, Harlee Dean, Remi Walker.
Goals: Jutkiewicz 81.
Yellow cards: Pedersen 38 McGree 69.
Blackpool: Daniel Grimshaw 6, Dujon Sterling 7, Reece James 6, James Husband, Marvin Ekpiteta 7, Callum Connolly 6, Keshi Anderson 6, Kenny Dougall 6, Demetri Mitchell 6 (Josh Bowler 68, 6) Owen Dale 6 (Shayne Lavery 75, 6) Gary Madine 6 (Jerry Yates 84, N/A)
Goals:
Subs not used: Stuart Moore, Jordan Gabriel, Ryan Wintle, Daniel Gretarsson.
Yellow cards: Connolly 69.
Referee: Matthew Donohue 5: Not Mr Donohue’s best game but I’m prepared to cut him some slack; the weather made things difficult not only for the players. There were some poor decisions but I don’t think either side were necessarily disadvantaged which is all you can ask for. Jutkiewicz did look arguably offside but from the camera angles available it’s impossible to be sure and both officials involved seemed adamant it was a goal so we have to accept their judgement.
Attendance: 17,686
Bazza KRO
Excellent report, and good to see Pedersen get your MOTM in his return from injury, particularly with your initial concern. I have one point to make … You suggested, “Over the years, our record against Blackpool is not exactly stellar”.
Blackpool haven’t beaten us at home in seven visits since 2009. That’s pretty stellar for Blues!!
I reckon some smart entrepreneurs should set up Cookhouse style catering outside the ground. Clean up.
Cheers Bazza. KRO
Thanks go to Kev for confirming that Jutkiewicz was actually onside. It makes the victory totally valid rather than questionable.
Thanks Russ, I was going on memory. I don’t remember many victories against the Tangerines in my life time. It also should be pointed out that we haven’t played them a lot since we’ve been in different divisions for many years. I confess I don’t know the detailed statistics.
Curiosity got the better of me! Since 1963 when I first started going to St Andrew’s as a boy, Blues have won 14, lost 15 and drawn 8 matches. At home, it is true we haven’t lost to Blackpool since 2009, a 2-0 loss. In the intervening period we have won three and drawn three so the problem is my memory rather than our record! ?
Hardly the best record, I’ll grant you. When your memory is blogged, you don’t need a memory. 😉