Reading v Birmingham
It was an unchanged side from the win against Blackburn, I can’t remember the last time we fielded an unchanged 11 and it goes to show that we’re on a a little run.
As people may know I love a stat, so here is this week's stat - since a goalless draw in 2019, the last seven league games between Birmingham and Reading have seen 26 goals scored with both teams finding the net in each game.
First half
Blues started with a lot of the ball in the Reading half, patient build up and closing down. However, a turn over in possession in middle allowed Reading to thread a great ball through to Joao who back heeled first time to Andy Carroll. He had a few yards of space and showed his quality with a first time finish across Ruddy. 1-0 to Reading. I thought it was against the early play and possession Blues had.
From there the game turned scrappy until Blues had their best bit of passing and build up play on the 29th minute. Some great work from the midfield and a switch over to Khadra who had time to pick out Juke in the box. When I say that this was a brilliant header I mean it was pure quality. Juke left the keeper rooted to the spot who could only watch the ball missile into the net. 1-1.
Again, just like after the first goal, the game went very scrappy. No side could keep possession and there were a lot of forced passes and fouls cheaply given away.
Our favourite game of head tennis was in full flow (to the delight of Tabriz and Faisal I’m sure).
HT 1-1
I would say 1-1 is about right, not a lot of quality other than the 2 goals. The play after each of the goals was sloppy from both teams and there were only a few glimpses of good play.
Juke dominating up top and was a constant threat when the ball was played up to him.
Second half
Some early pressure from Reading lead to them getting a couple of throws, they can really throw a long ball in and it caused Blues problems all second half. Panic from an early long throw in but the ball wouldn’t fall to Reading player. Lucky as it went for a corner, but the ref awarded a goal kick - a real let off!
Just like the first half, possession swung back and forth between both teams, neither side had a claim to say they dominated.
Chong had a great chance on the 65th minute, a quick break away from Hall, who put the burners on and left the Reading defender for dead. He then played in Chong but the tight angle forced the Reading keeper into a good save. Maybe he could have cut it back for Juke, but I don’t blame him for having a go.
Blues made 3 changes seeing Khadra, Juke and Hall all coming off for Bellingham, Hannibal and Hogan.
We heavily relied on playing the ball up to Juke and his hold up play and flick ons really got us going at times. Unfortunately, we kept trying to do this with Hogan, and as we all know he’s not that player.
A bizarre moment followed as the ref had to sub himself off due to injury, then the replacing ref had a tech problem with his headset. You honestly couldn’t make it up.
There were a couple more let offs for Blues. A corner from Reading was headed back across goal and the initial block fell to Carroll who fired wide. The next chance was again a long throw which I said had been a thorn in the side of Blues. There were 2 or 3 poor headers not cleared, it finally fell to Azeez on the volley, Ruddy's face said it all as he was relived it whistled passed his post.
Chang had a half chance on the 92nd minute, but Blues were happy to play for the draw in the end, slowing the ball down.
FT 1-1
Verdict
A fair result and Blues will be the happier side following Reading's point deduction this week. I would have taken a point before the game, but after going one down I was happy to see us battle back.
The subs in my opinion killed any quality we had. I understand with another game on Monday, we have to change it up and it was great to see Bellingham on the pitch. My only problem was it took us 10-15 minutes to stop lumping the ball up to Hogan thinking he can do the same job as Juke.
Another point closer to safety, making us 8 points clear of the drop. I don’t want to speak to soon, but something drastically bad would have to happen for us to go down now.
Happy with the away performance and a point - onto Stoke on Monday at St. Andrews, KRO!
Player ratings out of 10
Ruddy - 7
Colin - 6
Long - 7
Roberts - 6
Trusty - 7
Bielik - 6
Chang - 7
Chong - 6
Hall - 7
Khadra - 7
Jutkiewicz - 8
Subs
Etheridge - N/A
Dean - N/A
James - N/A
Hannibal - 5
Bacuna - N/A
Bellingham - 5
Hogan - 5
See the highlights from the game and the reactions from our team below:
Credit: Birmingham City Football Club
Credit: Birmingham City Football Club
Credit: Birmingham City Football Club