Birmingham City
Blues Trust
Blues 4 All
Birmingham City vs Blackburn Rovers
13th February 2024
The Blues came into this fixture sitting 19th wanting to get back to winning ways. John Eustace returned to St. Andrews since being let go in October 2023. Birmingham have lost six of their last seven league games against Blackburn Rovers. Losing 4-2 earlier this season under Wayne Rooney.
First Half:
The game starts off scrappy with both teams committing fouls in the first 10 minutes and then Blues had their first opportunity in the game with Paik Seung –Ho having a right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Blackburn then had their own chance through Ryan Hedges having a header from the center of the box misses to the right-hand side.
Marc Roberts then has a header from the center of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Paik Seung –Ho with a cross following a corner.
Blues continue their attacking domination with Tyler Roberts missing a great chance in the center of the box assisted by Koji Myoshi also Jay Stansfield causes more stress for the Blackburn defence rifling a shot with his right foot from the outside of the box nearly missing to the right of the goal.
The Blues edged even closer to an opener with Marc Roberts hitting the bar assisted by Koji Myoshi from a corner. Blackburn have another chance through Sammie Szmodics having a shot from outside the box but it’s just too high assisted by Jake Garrett.
First Half Blues 0-0 Blackburn Rovers
Second Half:
Blackburn started the half having the first chance out of the two sides with Sammie Szmodics right-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum Brittain the attacking chances kept flowing for the opposition with Sam Gallagher missing a header from the right side.
Tyler Roberts misses an opportunity from a tight angle on the left-hand side shot is too high. JJ’s opportunity from the center of the box is blocked assisted by Paik Seung –Ho keeping the game all square between the two sides.
Tony Mowbray made his first changes of the match from the stands as he is serving a one match ban for collecting three yellow cards. Paik and Myoshi leave the pitch being applauded by the crowd and Bacuna & Siriki Dembele enter the game.
Siriki Dembele has his first shot of the game is too high taken on his right foot and assisted by Tyler Roberts. He then has another shot on his other foot from the centre of the box but misses to the right.
Blues go 1-0 up Andre Dozzell left footed shot from the middle of the box hits the bottom of the left corner and Blues score their first goal in three games. The crowd is going crazy, and the relief is heard round the ground.
My Overall Thoughts
For me Blues dominated the game in most aspects, having the best of the possession 52.7% to Blackburn’s 47.3%. Blues had a total of 18 shots throughout the game, only having three on target which is something we need to work on but at least we managed to score and gain three points. They could be crucial to our season also one player stood out for me in this game, and he is Paik Seung – Ho the way he controlled the midfield keeping cool and composed. He is someone we have needed for a long time. I am very pleased with the way the game planned out and hopefully we can now push on and stay in the championship for another season.
Our next opponent to come to St. Andrews is Sunderland who are sat 9th as I am writing this another one of Mowbray’s pervious clubs that we need to concur allowing us to push up the table in the last fifteen games of the 23/24 season.