Went into this one with pretty much the same priorities as against Middlesbrough: first and foremost, stop the rot, the run of defeats, keep a clean sheet, a draw acceptable in the circumstances, but a win would be so welcome. We emerged with a point, thanks to a big second-half effort and a first for the season for Campbell. At half-time we would have been delighted with that, having been by some way second-best (even though we had the best chance of the game to that point). And post-match it still feels like a very decent outcome, something to build on.
Once again we waited for the team news in the hope that somebody would be back available – and again we were disappointed on that front. But there were changes from Tuesday night, with Anderson, Fullah and Olaofe all starting, with Knibbs, Berry and Campbell dropped to the bench. The indication from the club site was that it would be a back five, with Ramsay, Jones and Gillesphey flanked by Fullah and Bree. Seemed odd that Roussillion didn’t get the nod, but we’ve no idea how he is shaping up. It would be Coventry, Anderson and Carey in midfield, with Docherty not getting back in and Carey left to exploit the more forward position (as opposed to the strange choice for Middlesbrough to have him, Knibbs and Berry in the team), while we would have both Leaburn and Olaofe up front, meaning that Campbell would be the only possible change up front.
Whether Campbell was being rested, given a break in light of a fair bit of criticism, or Jones saw something to exploit in the Birmingham line-up wasn’t clear. It did mean a very lopsided bench with very little in the way of defensive or forward cover but an abundance of midfielders, but with the injuries we have that was at least understandable.
Birmingham did give us a lesson in the first-half, although unlike Southampton and Stoke didn’t complete the task. In fact having taken the lead just before 30 minutes were up they seemed to ease up a gear and we did come more into it. In that first 30 minutes Stansfield and Gray looked capable of scoring at any point. Birmingham dealt easily enough with our press and moved the ball quickly; by contrast we were ponderous when we did have the ball and caused them no problems, usually forced into giving the ball away or hitting hopeful balls forward, with Leaburn and Olaofe getting no change out of their centre-backs.
On 22 minutes Gray, who’d already had a shot or two blocked, cut inside and sent in another effort, this one coming back off the post with Kaminski a spectator. They had looked dangerous from the start with corners and it was from a set piece that we went behind. Anderson gave away a free kick on their right. It was sent into the box, and one of their centre-backs rose highest and sent it back across Kaminski and into the far corner. It was an excellent header, but a poor goal from our perspective, with the guy simply getting in between Gillesphey and Ramsay, who failed to get off the ground or make an effective challenge.
From that platform you felt that Birmingham might go on and get a second to all but kill off the game. Instead they seemed to take a breather and the game became more even. And out of nowhere we really should have levelled it. They mishit a pass across their defence and Olaofe was able to get to the ball first, then deliver a low ball into the box. With Birmingham having been pushing up Leaburn was on his own and simply had to score. Instead, with their keeper applying a bit of pressure, he put it well over the bar. We had been given the opportunity but didn’t take it.
Birmingham did raise it again just before the break and we were hanging on rather, probably aware that a second then would be, as at Coventry, a real body blow. We did avoid conceding again. The stats at the break reflected the balance of play in that they had 61% possession and had 17 attempts on goal, three on target, against three and zero for us. Just that one of our three should have gone into the net.
The second half was a more even affair, as by hook or by crook we managed to make it messy, preventing Birmingham from asserting dominance again. And they made the mistake of upsetting Olaofe. On 54 minutes Fullah – who put in a good shift as wing-back – put in a poor cross which their keeper gathered easily. Olaofe challenged rather clumsily and ended up on the ground, where the keeper and a defender tried to keep him. When Olaofe got to his feet he was clearly upset, but their keeper disgraced himself by going down as if poleaxed. It was a clear attempt to get a red card, which fortunately the ref saw through and gave him a yellow as well as Olaofe.
On 63 minutes Jones made a couple of changes, with Campbell coming on for Fullah and Rankin-Costello for Coventry. And having been on the pitch all season and not scoring, within three minutes of coming on TC had pulled us level. Olaofe, still chomping at the bit, had the ball on our right and nutmegged his opponent, getting to the byline. His low cross was deflected by the keeper and sat up nicely for Campbell, who had time to wait for it to come down before putting it away. He was in the right place at the right time.
It was interesting to see how Birmingham would respond, now having to go out and win the game again. And to be fair they did put us under the cosh for most of the rest of the game. On 70 minutes Gray evaded Bree and went on another run through our defence, hit another curler, but this one came back off the bar with Kaminski beaten.
Docherty replaced Carey, a fair indication that we were more intent on holding what we had, and bodies were now being put on the line. The game got heated, with Docherty taken out late by a bad challenge, followed quickly by Stansfield getting to a ball out of defence first and moving it down the line, past Anderson. Anderson did what he needed to do and pulled him down. The Birmingham fans howled for a red (we did have cover) while Olaofe came over and congratulated Anderson on a job well done. We did have moments, especially when Rankin-Costello went past three on the left but played a poor ball inside. But it was pretty much all them. Late on Olaofe and Anderson were both spent and Knibbs and Laqeretabua replaced them.
Birmingham’s final opportunity came just before the end of normal time as Knibbs pulled back one of theirs a little outside the box. It was there for Gray to hit another curler. This time Kaminski read it and was able to turn it around for a corner. We saw out six minutes of stoppage time.
It is something to build on. There was character and effort on display from all and most important we ended the run of defeats. Jones must feel some relief tonight (especially as his namesake seemed OK after an early injury scare, heaven only knows what would have happened had he had to leave the field). Whether the performance and point prove to be a turning point we can’t say as yet. But there was enough on display to suggest that it may well be.
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