Birmingham v Blackpool
There were four changes from the side who beat Millwall midweek. Ruddy, Friend, Bacuna and Khadra all came out for Etheridge, Trusty, James and Hannibal. There’s also a place on the bench for the returning captain, Troy Deeney.
Here’s the stat of the day - Blackpool have lost their last 9 away games in all competitions, their last away point came last year on Boxing Day drawing 1-1 away to Hull. Their last win away came all the way back in October against Coventry, Blues’s next away opponent.
First half
Birmingham really looked up for it and came out on top in the opening 10 minutes. Chong showing he is the danger man with a lot of early balls into the Blackpool box. Chong had a very tame effort blocked and the keeper almost fumbled it into the net, but just recovered.
After that no real chance fell to Blues with their early pressure and possession and the game went really flat and scrappy, not for the first time this season. This allowed Blackpool to settle down and actually have an attempt on goal, albeit it not a very good one.
I would say the best two chances fell to Blues. The first one being a corner whipped in and flicked on by a Blackpool defender which then cannoned off the head of Long, I think it was travelling too quick for him to do anything about it. The next chance was a cross from Bielik to Bellingham at the back post, unfortunately he headed wide, but the ref may have blew for a free kick.
HT 0-0
Not a lot of quality on show today unfortunately, I would have liked to have seen Blues score early in this one to really unsettle Blackpool and their miserable away form.
Chong looked lively, but I think we needed more urgency and to step up a gear!
Second half
Blackpool started the second very lively and nearly took the lead when a smart flick was put across goal by Rogers, luckily nobody was there to poke it in.
Blues should have taken the lead when Bellingham broke in midfield and found Hannibal in space on the left. He cut inside and fired low, the keeper spilled and Juke reacted, but the Blackpool keeper got something on it. Chong on the rebound brought it down and he struck, blocked again, the goal was then gaping for Hannibal who’s shot was blocked off the line by Blackpool.
That was as good as it got for Blues, an absolute calamity from Etheridge and Long gifted Blackpool the opener. Short pass out to Long who gave a suicide pass back to Etheridge. The Blackpool player took it away from Etheridge and played it back to Poveda to poke into an empty net.
Blues made some much needed subs which saw Bacuna, Deeney, Longelo, Chang and Graham come on.
The subs didn’t make any impact and it was a very poor game for Blues. The game fizzled out and to be honest, Blackpool deserved to beat us with their second half showing.
Again Blues fall victim of losing to sides who are below them.
FT 1-0 Blackpool
Verdict
I said before the game that it would be typical Blues to work so hard to win away midweek, just to throw it away at home, to a side that hasn’t won away since October.
Very poor from us and I think changes could have been made earlier. We never upped the tempo and looked like we were already on the beach after Tuesday's win, which guaranteed our safety.
Coventry away next in our last away game of the season. Hopefully we can put it right there.
KRO!
Player ratings out of 10
Etheridge - 5
Colin - 4
Roberts - 6
Long - 2
Trusty - 4
Bielik - 4
James - 4
Bellingham - 5
Hannibal - 3
Chong - 4
Jutkiewicz - 4
Subs
Jeacock - N/A
Dean - N/A
Graham - 4
Longelo - 4
Bacuna - 4
Chang - 4
Deeney - 4
See the highlights of the game and the reactions from our team below:
Credit: Birmingham City Football Club
Credit: Birmingham City Football Club
Credit: Birmingham City Football Club