It’s Sunday morning and I am reflecting on yesterday’s game. The day started a cold and damp one and having walked my little Cockerpoo puppy, Nellie early doors, I set off to meet Will at the local shopping mall near where I live. He arrived about 10.40 and we were soon on the road to Birmingham and made remarkably good progress up the motorway arriving at the Robin Hood Carvery on the Stratford Road in time for a nice pork bap and roast potatoes with gravy. These were washed down with a welcome pint whilst we watched some of the Millwall v Charlton game. We made our way to Hall Green station and caught the train into Bordesley. A 10 minute walk up to the ground and I decided to buy a new Blues scarf and hat in respect of the tribute to Robert Hopkins who so sadly was taken from us recently. This mark of respect was carried out immediately before the game with a minute’s applause and there was a loud rendering of “Ai Ai Hoppy Hoppy Ai!” from the stands. A further mark of respect was given in the sixth minute when Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, the little boy so tragically murdered by his father and partner in 2020. The game was stopped and the players and officials joined the tribute from fans of both sides; Rest in Peace little man.
Despite the visitors having to field a depleted team they were the better side for the first half an hour. They got off to a brisk start and controlled the midfield area against a Blues side with new addition, Ibrahim Osman in their ranks. The new winger showed pace and flair and I look forward to seeing more of him. He does need to remember to take the ball with him and he does show a tendency to hit the deck readily. That being said, he looked dangerous and showed he had the beating of the makeshift full back, Sorba Thomas although this was demonstrated more in the second half. Stoke could well have been ahead in the middle period of the half when Million Manhoef tested Beadle from close in which the keeper did well to stop. Tomas Rigo then struck the bar with Beadle beaten and Tatsuki Seko shot wide from 25 yards. Blues were too deep, too slow moving the ball and not getting out from under the press well enough.
Blues did have their moments and actually had the ball in the net following a smartly taken free kick was fired across the box for Iwata to slot home. However, Mr Bell, the referee had spotted an off the ball infringement from Marvin Ducksch so the goal was chalked off. Blues did come more into the game around the half hour and Tommy Doyle nearly surprised Simkin in goal for Stoke with a free kick from a seemingly impossibly acute angle. His fierce inswinging right footed strike came off the crossbar to safety. Jay Stansfield went close not long after when a good ball from Iwata found him but his effort was well saved by the keeper. Despite all this it had been Stoke’s half so it was somewhat against the run of play that Birmingham took the lead. A deep corner to the far post from Tommy Doyle was headed back across by Jay Stansfield where Tomoki Iwata of all people, given that he had to be the shortest man on the pitch, headed in for a lead that I felt wasn’t wholly merited. Nevertheless, Blues proceeded to the break 1-0 to the good. It could actually have been 2-0 had Osman managed to net from close range from a well weighted pass from Ducksch.
Blues were much better in the second half and began on the front foot. The passing was snappier, more accurate and the team had moved 10-15 yards further up the pitch. The difference in the flow of the game was tangible. It was noticeable that Stoke when they did come forward were doing so in numbers leaving space behind for Blues to exploit. Osman was looking increasingly dangerous down the left and an effort from Jay Stansfield was well saved. The introduction of new signings August Priske and John Solis introduced energy and impetus but just when it looked that the match was finally to swing Birmingham’s way, it was Stoke’s turn to score against the run of play. A corner from the Family Stand side to the near post was flicked on where the unfortunate Neumann put the ball in his own net for 1-1. Blues continued to huff and puff but Stoke’s rearguard stood firm and nearly robbed Blues of all three points near the end when another corner from the same place was headed marginally over by Steven Nzonzi. The sides could not be separated and each departed the field with a share of the spoils. Stoke look a decent outfit and over the whole piece I thought the result was fair.
The Good: The debuts from Osman and Priske. Osman was withdrawn on the hour which was pre-determined I suspect. Priske came on for 34 minutes and I have to say he looked very good. He’s fast, physical, holds the play up and brings others into play. Moreover, he won virtually every aerial duel he was involved in. I like them both plus the contribution by Solis and once fully up to match fitness they are going to enhance us.
The Bad: The defending for both goals; I would be fuming if we had conceded a goal like the one we scored. Their goal had some fortune about it but we shouldn’t be letting in goals from corners from flick ons at the near post.
The Ugly: I didn’t witness it but there was an altercation outside the ground when someone tried to force his way through the crowd in his car. I understand a pedestrian took exception and struck the windscreen. The driver then ran the bloke down and it all then kicked off. Not nice!
Birmingham City: James Beadle 7, Tomoki Iwata 7, Phil Neumann 6, Christoph Klarer 7, Kai Wagner 7, Tommy Doyle 7 (Jhon Solis 56, 7) Paik Seung-ho 6, Ibrahim Osman 7 (August Priske 56, 7) Patrick Roberts 6 (Scott Wright 90+2) Marvin Ducksch 6 (Kyogo Furuhashi 81, N/A) Jay Stansfield 7.
Subs not used: Ryan Allsop Bright Osayi-Samuel, Menzi Mazwi, Willum Willumsson, Kanya Fujimoto.
Goals: Iwata 42.
Yellow cards: Stansfield 67
Stoke City: Tommy Simkin 7, Sorba Thomas 6, Maxi Talovierov 7, Ashley Phillips 7, Eric Bocat 7 (Aaron Cresswell 68, 6) Tomas Rigo 6 (Ben Pearson 87, N/A) Steven Nzonzi 7, Tatsuki Seko 7, Bae Jun-Ho 6 (Favour Fawunmi ) Million Manhoef 6, Lamine Cisse 6.
Subs not used: Frank Fielding, Jaden Dixon, Will Smith, Jake Griffin, Syd Agina, Rubén Curley.
Goals: Neumann (og) 71.
Yellow cards: Cisse 80.
Referee: James Bell 7: I thought the officials had a good game. They must have done a decent job because I didn’t hear any moaning about them, questioning of their eyesight or enquiries as to their parents’ marital status!
Attendance: 27,908
Bazza KRO
Kev Edit
I made the game to with my son. Completely agree with Bazza’s synopsis. I like the look of Solis. Also Priske looks like he’ll be a menace. Osman is quick, but looked a bit rusty in the first half. However improved as the game went on.
Over all I thought the result was probably the right one, although a bit disappointed we didn’t win.
I did take a photo of the balloon release for Hoppy.
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