Birmingham v Sheffield United
Big news before this game as the club issues confirmation of Birmingham's 45.64% stake takeover and full ownership of the stadium, subject to EFL clearance. This is backed by American Tom Wagner and his company Knighthead Capital Management - music to every Blues fans' ears.
Last game of the season and we welcome newly promoted Sheffield United to St Andrews. Neither team has anything to play for in this game as Blues confirmed their Championship status a few weeks back and Sheffield confirmed their promotion to the top flight recently.
A lot of changes from the loss at Coventry. A notable absentee was Colin, who I’ve heard is moving on when his contract expires, but what is strange is unless he’s injured he didn't even make the squad. Hope there is no bad blood as he has been a great servant for the club. Another notable mention was 16 year old Trevan Sanusi named among the subs. Don’t know too much about him personally, but what I have heard are only good things.
First half
The game started off with a lot of noise from both sets of fans. Blues probably on a bounce from the morning's takeover news.
It got very scrappy as Blues games normally do, with Juke winning a lot of flick ons as he normally does.
Some good patient work from Blues which saw both wings backs bombing forward, eventually we forced a corner. The short corner caught United out and Bacuna fizzed a great ball in, Juke managed to cannon it off the bar from 6 yards out.
From there, Sheffield showed their quality and grew into the game. First N’diaye, who’s been their danger man all season broke the offside trap (I think he was offside), cut it back, but a very good block saved Blues. N’diaye again skipped past 2 defenders and fired a low shot inside the box, and again a vital block from Trusty kept the score at 0-0.
A real let off for Blues on the 35h minute as Sheffield hit the post twice in about 5 seconds, both Manchester City loanees striking the same post.
The former Villa man Enda Stevens then saw a smart half volley just whistle past the post.
Khadra was looking to cause some problems with his pace and trickery, but I feel maybe he was trying a bit too hard against his former loan club where he had a tough time earlier this season.
A comical moment to end the half, as the ball cannoned into the referees privates. It was funny to see, but surely hurt. He then blew the half time whistle.
HT 0-0
It certainly had a feel of both teams having nothing to play for. Sheffield showing their quality at times. Blues defended well and had some good exchange of passes but we just didn’t offer much going forward.
Second half
Sheffield came out flying in the second half and showed why they finished second in the league, a quick fire double and some terrible defending by Blues - 0-2 Sheffield.
A ball in from Chris Basham picked out and unmarked Oli McBurnie who headed into the far corner. I have to say in the build up, Bacuna tried one of his fancy flicks and got caught in possession, still poor marking in the box. You don’t give McBurnie a free header.
3 minutes later, a long ball over the top of Sanderson fell to N’diaye, who for me was their MOTM, he then rounded Etheridge and McAtee poked it into an empty net. Blues fell to pieces in a matter of minutes.
Sheffield took complete control of the game and should have made it 3, but Sander Berge placed a tame effort into Etheridge's hands.
Four changes for Blues which saw Hannibal, Deeney, Roberts and James all come on.
Hannibal brought some much needed energy to the team and his first act was to try slide in on the goalkeeper, it got the crowd going a bit.
I got a little red in the face as I was saying Sanderson looked unfit all game, but then he popped up with a goal for Blues. Honestly didn’t see it coming, but a great freekick from Hannibal met the head of Roberts who knocked it back for Sanderson who struck a sweet volley into the back of the net. I tried to replicate my embarrassment by saying Deeney looked unfit, but it wasn’t to be!
FT 2-1 Sheffield United
Verdict
After the early news of a takeover, I thought Blues may go on and nick 3 points, it wasn’t to be. We very much went through the motions of a team that have been safe since we beat Millwall away, it’s funny because since then we’ve lost every game. Bad end to the season really.
Just want to thank Tabriz and Faisal for letting me write these match reports in the last few months. Also, thank you to everyone who has read them, it’s been a lot of fun to report on the games for you all!
Let’s hope that this takeover is a sign that things are finally on the up for the Blues. See you all next season and don’t forget...
KEEP RIGHT ON
Player ratings out of 10
Etheridge - 5
Graham - 4
Sanderson - 5
Dean - 5
Trusty - 4
Longelo - 4
Bielik - 4
Bellingham - 5
Khadra - 4
Bacuna - 3
Jutkiewicz - 4
Subs
Jeacock - N/A
Roberts - 4
Chang - N/A
James - 4
Hannibal - 5
Sanusi - N/A
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
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