I didn’t go to the Plymouth game as those of you who read my piece on the Bristol match will know. It was disappointing to miss it especially the way things panned out with a dramatic winner in the last ten seconds of time added on. I was listening to the game on Blues Player and having reconciled myself to a draw it was a welcome surprise. I have to say it sounded as if Plymouth were the better side in the second half and we should have been grateful for the point had we not scored at the death and the statistics certainly seem to bear that out.
I saw a video blog from an Argyle fan describing the trip to St Andrew’s sent to me from Russ at Joys and Sorrows. The fan, styling herself as EFL Girl, was pretty scathing about everything to do with our club that she saw and most things regarding the fan experience she scored 0-2/10; a little harsh when you consider some grounds around the country. I suggest if you have time that you have a listen; https://www.tiktok.com/@eflgir
Her report is rude, arrogant and opinionated but there are several points that have more than a ring of truth about them and the points she makes about the poor facilities at St Andrew’s are well made especially about the merchandise in the shop, the lack of a fan zone outside the ground (like that I described at Bristol City last week) the awful toilets lacking in basic hygiene facilities and the slow, pathetic service for food and drink in the catering areas. She was also not slow in coming forward about the empty terracing in areas of the ground still under repair. We all know the full story about these things of course and many are in the process of being addressed and are about to improve. Though this young lady would do well to be a little more polite about other clubs and their supporters, she does as I say have a number of fair points and it is always worth reflecting on how others see us. EFL Girl gets her comeuppance right at the end when Jay Stansfield fires the winner into the roof of the net; just reward for her conceit towards our famous old club; something that she might reflect on.
Having missed the game in Saturday, I was determined to go to the Cup game aided and abetted by the fact that it was Chris’ birthday and a good opportunity to go for a curry at Jilabi’s on the Coventry Road and I had promised to give Will, who was without a car, a lift home after the game back down to Surrey. I met up with the usual gang at six o’clock and duly fortified with meat and drink we proceeded to the game.
Blues made six changes from the starting line up that were victorious against Plymouth on Saturday and one of them, Marcel Oakley at right back was unable to stop Karlon Grant from fizzing an excellent low cross across the area where an unmarked Rubin Colwill to side foot past the helpless Etheridge from ten yards. Good finish but where were the defenders? Poor defending from Birmingham and I’m afraid from that point on Cardiff controlled the game but that is not to say that Blues did not have their moments particularly on the break and when they won the ball high up the pitch. The problem was that we failed to capitalise on Cardiff’s mistakes. Jordan James fired over from the edge of the area when well placed but Blues’ best chance was a superb free kick from 25 yards by Juninho Bacuna that had the St Andrew’s faithful on their feet. It looked in from where I was sitting but apparently Hawkeye showed that there was a tiny sliver of the ball had not crossed the line courtesy of a fantastic save by Runar Runarsson in goal for Cardiff. Lukas Jutkiewicz had a great chance near the end of the half but reluctant to hit the shot with his right turned inside onto his favoured left but his curling effort from the inside right channel was well saved by Runarsson. Moments later a good cross from Oakley found the head of the big man but his effort glanced wide and Blues had to accept a deficit at the break.
Into the second half with Koji Mioshi replacing George Hall at half time, Blues looked more aggressive. On 55 minutes from a corner from the right, there appeared to be a clear double handed push into the back of I think Jutkiewicz as he shaped to head in from close range. It was as clear a penalty shout as I’ve seen but referee, Leigh Doughty lived up to his name and ignored the appeals. The referee was inciting the ire of the St Andrew’s crowd and I have to say the man in the middle’s performance was lamentable. He capped off a truly awful display by red carding Lukas Jutkiewicz for a tackle after the big man himself had clearly been fouled yet once again ignored. Yes, he was late in his challenge on Mahlon Romeo and a yellow card would undoubtedly have been appropriate but red? Nah! Not for me. The howls of derision from the home fans said it all. A flurry of substitutions followed this event on the hour with Sam Cosgrove, Scott Hogan and Marc Roberts introduced. Rubin Colwill got off with a “you’ve been very naughty!” from a similar tackle on Bacuna further irritating the home crowd. It was clear to me that the referee had lost control of the game.
Despite the changes and a spirited response from Blues, the Bluebirds produced a well worked move on 68 minutes with some neat passing around our box before Ryan Wintle swept the ball into the far bottom corner past a despairing Neil Etheridge for 2-0. Frankly the game was up but Blues did produce one moment of quality two minutes later when from a break, Longelo rolled an excellent through ball to Scott Hogan who scored his second in as many games with a lovely finish from a tight angle through the keeper’s legs. The crowd was up and the ten men gave everything in an attempt to equalise and force penalties. However all hope was snuffed out by a smart finish by Kion Etete at the far post on 94 minutes following good work and low cross from the dangerous Kieron Evans down the left flank. The final three minutes were a formality to end a disappointing night for Blues. Another League Cup campaign over. Let’s win the league encounter next time Cardiff come to town. On this occasion they were the better side and deserved their win. It’s time to lick our wounds and bring on Millwall on Saturday.
The Good: The curry at the Jilabi restaurant before the game.
The Bad: The refereeing; truly awful but I maintain it is not the reason that we lost. We lost because we defended badly for the opening goal and then never gained control of the match. We also failed to make the most of our opportunities. On the night, Cardiff were better than us.
The Ugly: Little Jack claims that the Cardiff away kit deserves this dubious accolade. A little harsh I feel as we’ve seen far worse.
Birmingham City: Neil Etheridge 6, Marcel Oakley 5 Dion Sanderson 6, Kevin Long 6 (Marc Roberts 66, 5) Emmanuel Longelo 7, Ivan Sunjic 5 (Sam Cosgrove 66, 5) Juninho Bacuna 7 (Gary Gardner 77, 4) George Hall 5 (Koji Miyoshi HT, 6) Jordan James 6, Jay Stansfield 6 (Scott Hogan 66, 7) Lukas Jutkiewicz 5.
Subs not used: Brad Mayo, Brandon Khela, Romelle Donovan, Lee Buchanan.
Goals: Hogan 70.
Yellow cards: Oakley 35, Cosgrove 76.
Sent off: Jutkiewicz 57.
Cardiff City: Runar Runarsson 7, Ollie Tanner 6 (Ike Ugbo 87, N/A) Mahlon Romeo 7, Ebou Adams 6, Perry Ng 6, Karlan Grant 7 (Kieron Evans 60, 6) Romaine Sayers 6, Ryan Wintle 7 (Cian Ashford 74, 6) Andy Rinomhota 7, Rubin Colwill 7, Kion Etete 7.
Subs not used: Jak Alnwick, Mark McGuinness, Joel Colwill, Jai Semenyo, C Ashford, Morgan Wigley.
Goals: Colwill 3, Wintle 68, Etete 90+4.
Yellow cards: Rinomhota 24, Etete 50, Romeo 90+3
Referee: Leigh Doughty: 2; one of the worst displays of refereeing seen at St Andrew’s in a long time. Missed the clear push on Jutkiewicz and the foul on the big man before brandishing an unfair red card as the forward tried to win the ball back. It deserved sanction but not a sending off. He then fails to punish Cardiff for a similar challenge a few minutes later. I hope we don’t get this official back at Stan’s for a long long time.
Attendance: 11,405
KRO Bazza
As the highlight of my time as a blues fan was the Carling cup win, it really annoys me when we play weakened teams in the competition. We have 3 possible chances of glory each year, two cups and a possible promotion, so why do we throw away a third of our chances of a bit of glory by not putting out a strong team? Doing well in one competition does not stop you trying in the others, as we showed when we won promotion in 1972 and also got to a semi final in the FA Cup.
Great blog Bazza. You were very fair about the TikTok lady. She would do well to read your balanced reports. Like this one. I didn’t see the match but can truly rely upon your comments on the referee as neutral as possible for a home fan. Other blogs are of course available but are often partisan. Shame to see Gardner only earning a 4. Match fitness needed.
Keep Right On.