International week over and it’s back to business. I had met up with Will during the week for a pint on the way home from work. We’d discussed the possibility of him and little Will catching the train from Guildford to join me as it stopped at Blackwater on the way to Reading. Whilst I was waiting, I decided to check to see which carriage they were in when the first disappointment of the day occurred. Will and his family are two weeks away from moving into their new home which has just been built and for numerous reasons he couldn’t join me after all. Chris and little Jack were in France so it was Billy No Mates then. The positive thing is that I get a better brand of conversation!
The journey was otherwise uneventful and I arrived at New Street at about ten to one and walked down through Digbeth to the ground. I headed for the George to grab a couple of pints and watched Citeh stuffing four past Liverpool. I got to talking to a couple of lads also watching the game, Kane and Josh in the pub and it was interesting to hear their take on things. Cheers lads, I enjoyed the drink and discourse. From there it was off to the stadium (a loose term right now but it’ll be good when it’s finished!) There was a kiosk selling piping hot chicken curry and chips just outside the ground and I partook of a generous bowlful which on a chilly blustery day was very welcome.
March had been a better month for us than January/February. We had picked up points at Wigan, Rotherham and QPR although a poor first twenty minutes at Watford had cost us the game there. We continue to be indifferent at home of course, the game against Cardiff of particular note. Those opponents contributed much to arguably the worst game I’ve seen all season. Moving on to the present, this was going to be the fourth time we had met Blackburn having encountered them in the 4th round of the Cup. I felt we were a shade unfortunate to lose the replay after a good draw at their place and by all accounts we really should have got something out of the league match up there but those results clearly explain the sort of inconsistent season we’ve had and why we are where we are; in our perennial mediocre position. Fortunately, I think we will still be playing Championship football next season.
Blues got off to a nervy start in truth but carved out an excellent chance on 10 minutes. A driving run by George Hall, who was for me the pick of a dynamic midfield, to the edge of the area put the youngster in good position to feed Lukas Jutkiewicz overlapping on the right. His fierce cross cannoned off Blackburn’s captain, Lewis Travis and with his keeper helpless watched as the ball rebounded off the post. A couple of minutes later Chong missed an excellent chance when he fired wide only ten yards out from Lukas Jutkiewicz’s nod down. Lukas himself brought out a good save from Aynsley Pears when the big man perhaps should have done better and another shot from our centre-forward took a deflection off a defender to take the ball just wide of the post. Blackburn for their part used their superiority of possession to play neat passing football around the edge of our box but the Blues rearguard stood firm although there were one or two close shaves.
Having been let off the hook in the first period, Blackburn decided to up the tempo and Ryan Hedges went very close with a curling shot that was destined for the top corner before a fingertip save from Blues captain, John Ruddy kept the game scoreless. Blues were under pressure for the first 15 minutes of the second period when Blues got themselves up the other end and forced a corner. The set piece was headed out but fell to Maxime Colin 30 yards out. He chose not to pull the trigger but instead popped the ball off to his right where Reda Khadra was waiting. He did not forgo the opportunity to let fly and his low daisy cutter arrowed into the far bottom corner. From my standpoint I was right behind it; it was a beauty and gave Pears no chance. Although somewhat against the run of play at the time, over the whole piece it was probably deserved.
The rest of the game was fairly even but Blackburn did their best to spoil the party. Ben Brereton-Diaz headed over from close range and Blues were lucky the Bradley Dack couldn’t get to a header at the far post with the Blues defence stranded. Ruddy made an excellent double save having got himself into trouble not collecting an original attempt at goal cleanly. This was a heart in mouth moment for the home faithful but the hefty boot of a defender settled matters. A flurry of substitutions from both sides and a prolonged injury to Maxime Colin resulted in seven minutes added on which to be fair, Blues managed well to see the game out. Another three points and safety almost assured.
The Good: The result. The goal when it came was a cracker. Every player put a shift in so a solid if not spectacular performance. The chicken curry and chips outside before the game.
The Bad: The fact that none of the rest of the gang were able to join me. It’s not the same when you go to the game on your own somehow.
The Ugly: Young yobs throwing metal fencing over the panels dividing the rival fans outside the Kop exits. Fortunately, they weren’t able to breach the barrier to start trouble with the away fans. There is no call or excuse for this behaviour. For heaven’s sake, whoever you are, stop it!
Birmingham City: John Ruddy 7, Maxime Colin 7, Marc Roberts 7, Auston Trusty 7, Tahith Chong 6 (Jobe Bellingham 93, N/A) Krystian Bielik 7, Alfie Chang 7, (Jordan James 93, N/A) Reda Khadra 8 (Juninho Bacuna 68, 6) Lukas Jutkiewicz 7 (Scott Hogan 80, 6) George Hall 8 (Harlee Dean 93, N/A)
Subs not used: Neil Etheridge, Hannibal Mejbri.
Goals: Khadra 61.
Yellow cards: Trusty 45+2, Bacuna 89, Bellingham 90+6.
Blackburn Rovers: Aynsley Pears 7, Joe Rankin-Costello 7 (Callum Brittain 81, N/A) Hayden Carter 7, Dominic Hyam 7, Harry Pickering 7, Lewis Travis 7, Tyler Morton 7, Tyrhys Dolan 8 (Sorba Thomas 65, 7) Sammie Szmodics 7 (Bradley Dack 81, N/A) Ryan Hedges 7 (Ben Brereton 81, N/A) Sam Gallagher 6.
Subs not used: Thomas Kaminski, Scott Wharton, Jake Garrett.
Goals: None
Yellow cards: Dolan 45+2, Travis 53, Morton 84.
Referee: Andy Davies 6; some good, some bad. I’m a fan of keeping the game flowing but too many obvious misdemeanours went unpunished. Jutkiewicz was blatantly pushed in the back when about to head the ball with no sanction. Chong was clear when brought down but no yellow card was given yet he gave petty bookings for a bit of handbags at the end of the first half and the others he dished out to both sides were soft in my opinion when he let more serious stuff go. However, he was fair to both teams and didn’t do anything contentious to skew the result.
Attendance: 16,623.
KRO Bazza
Thanks Bazza great report as usual.
Great blog as ever, Bazza “Plenty of Online Mates” ??
I agree we should be safe this season. Hopefully next season and beyond too with new owners?
As always you manage to reinforce just what a ‘family’ of Blues supporters we really are. However your point and praise of George Hall is what I shall be pushing hard with my own articles. During the summer months this player has to remain at the club, unless crazy money is offered. He is as you rightly observe a pick of the midfield. Whether we have new ownership or not, this diamond needs retaining as the investment return will be colossal.
I agree Mitchell. We must hang on to our talented youngsters and not flog our seed corn at the first available opportunity. George Hall should stay with us since he will get to play and gain more experience. Going to a Premier League club he’ll end up warming the bench or being sent out on loan to the ruination of his career. I also felt that Alfie Chang had a good game. There’s another very good player in the offing there.
Unfortunately it seems that Jobe and Hall won’t be staying after the summer if the rumours are correct.