So Close But Yet So Far

Two points in two games have left Birmingham City agonizingly close to confirming a top six finish, with just two games to go away to Brighton and at home to Reading in the last game of the season. Blues were given a scare at the weekend in a game where a win would have seen them all but seal a play-off place.

In the battle of the BCFCs it was relegation threatened Bristol who took the lead with Stephen Pearson beating Colin Doyle, in goal after Boaz Myhill picked up an injury in the warm up. Bristol doubled their advantage soon after, this time Jon Stead scoring a peach of a goal to give the visitors an almighty boost in their quest for survival, and to send shockwaves throughout the Birmingham side reminding them that in this league, no game is easy.

Just before half time Marlon King halved the deficit, thanks to a deflection, and Blues went in at the break with work still to do. The second half saw Blues finally get the equaliser they had been searching for; defender Peter Ramage and player of the season contender Chris Burke worked together on the right hand side before Burke sent a low ball into the box which Nikola Zigic, just yards out, duly slotted home.

Blues only have themselves to blame for letting vital points slip at an all-important home fixture, in which miss placed passes were unfortunately all too common throughout the ninety minutes, culminating in Blues being the masters of their own downfall.

Tonight’s midweek fixtures presented Blues with another opportunity to cement their play-off place but a lacklustre start from the away side meant that it was a very nervous forty-five minutes, especially with the news that Cardiff were 1-0 ahead and, as it stood, on level points with Blues.

Ipswich caused problems for the Blues back line and Colin Doyle had to be called upon several times to prevent the tractor boys from taking the lead. Blues were then hit with another injury blow, with Captain Steven Caldwell having to go off with ten minutes left of the first half.

Just before half time Blues took the lead against the run of play, with a goal that was equally well constructed as it was well taken, with that man Chris Burke finishing a move that saw Peter Ramage, Marlon King and Andros Townsend all involved. It was a perfect time to score a goal.

Blues began the second half with impetus, looking bright on the counter attack with Ipswich, mid table and with nothing to play for, not as committed to the cause as their opponents. But Ipswich pressed on to enjoy heavy spells of the game, with Michael Chopra and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas causing countless problems and keeping Doyle on his toes.

And the latter equalised for his side with 75 minutes on the clock, sending his low effort past Doyle and piling pressure on Blues who up until that point were fifteen minutes away from sealing a place in the play-offs.

The game continued to be an end of end affair, with Blues coming agonizingly close late on with Zigic’s shot being cleared off the line. Ipswich piled on the pressure but the away side held on, all but confirming a play-off place after tonight’s result, but wins for Cardiff and Blackpool mean Blues are clinging onto fourth place by a single point.

The Battle Of The BCFCs

It’s rather enjoyable supporting Birmingham at the moment, isn’t it? Unbeaten in the last 6 games and five wins in a row, not to mention four of those wins coming away from home – having not won away since February. That really is something to be proud of.

Chris Hughton is doing a superb job, and all credit must go to him for managing to galvanise this team into the confident and persistent bunch of lads they are at the moment. Just days after winning away at Club Brugge they were at it again: this time bottom of the league Bristol City were put to the slaughter, but only after a scary second half in which Bristol, with new manager Derek McInnes at the helm, threatened to ruin the party.

The first half produced chance after chance for Blues, with Curtis Davies back from injury having a chance, along with Keith Fahey, Marlon King and Chris Burke getting a look in on the early goal-mouth action. Dominating the game, it was surely only a matter of time before Blues broke the deadlock, and it came ten minutes before half time courtesy of a Chris Burke tap in. Name-sake Chris Wood almost doubled the advantage just before the half time whistle, shooting just wide of the net.

The early stages of the second half produced a hairy moment for the Blues backline, with Stephen Carr and Boaz Myhill getting into all kinds of trouble, but the home side were unable to capitalise on the unfortunate slip made by the Blues number one. The game produced more of the same for Blues, who had to soak up Bristol City pressure and endure a very gritty game, much different to the free-flowing first forty five.

But with Bristol pressing Blues were able to catch them on the break, and with the last kick of the game Chris Burke wheeled away to score his second of the game and to ensure that all three points were brought back to Birmingham.

Another superb away victory which only adds to the confidence already installed into the Blues side. Hughton has excelled in bringing enjoyable, attacking football to the club on an exceedingly low budget – with money only being spent on deadline day signings Wade Elliott and Pablo Ibanez, and the rest of the summer singings all coming in on bosman free transfers. With that being said, some of the players brought in have been major coups, Chris Burke in particular (thanks for that one McLeish!) who I’m surprised is still standing after all the running up and down the wing he’s done so far this season!

Unlike Stoke City and Fulham, Blues haven’t suffered a European hangover so far, and there have been no Sunday blues as of yet; only routine performances from Hughton’s magnificent men, which have kept the unlikely dream of promotion alive. Long may it continue!


Full Time: Bristol City 0-2 BLUES
Goal Scorers: Burke (36)(95)
Star Man: Chris Burke; a brace and another refreshing performance on the wing
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