Korie gives his thoughts on the Sheffield game

Sheffield United Vs Birmingham City  

Friday 9th February  

Blues had won 21 of their overall meetings between the two clubs, their opposition only winning seven. The club needed to get a result against the Yorkshire outfit as they suffered an unfortunate defeat against midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion. Sheffield Wednesday were cut open by Huddersfield Town in their latest test to survive relegation as the Terriers made it rain scoring four goals in just twelve second half minutes.  

First Half:  

Birmingham start off well with JJ slotting the ball through to Dembele who pulls it back to Bacuna who unfortunately Sky’s it. The players are sticking to Mowbray’s game plan high pressing trying to make Wednesday make a mistake which could lead to an opener.  

The Owls keeper James Beadle hoofs the ball straight into the final third looking to supply Cadamarteri but as the ball falls it deflects stopping any chance of an opener. Dembele takes it into his own hands wiggling his way down the left flank and fizzing a low ball into the box, but no red shirt was there to put it away.  

The home side break fast down the right-hand side showing some good patient passing football then Paveda manages too skilfully beat the Blues defender looking up and pulling the ball back where Ike Ugbo was in the right place at the right time to side foot it into the next putting his team 1-0 in the game.  

Sheffield Wednesday are not feeling significantly more confident as they have the one goal advantage over Blues.  

The Blues win a corner on the brink of half time where Dozzell’s dazzling delivery finds the head of Scott Hogan who guides his header just past the post.  

Half time: Sheffield United 1-0 Blues  

Second Half: 

Straight off the bat Wednesday charge at the Birmingham Back line causing a scramble between players where a strike is deflected reelevating the stress put on the defence.  

The woes worsen for Mowbray’s side as the Yorkshire side double their lead at home as Barry Bannan slots the ball to Marvin Johnson who floats the ball across the box where Ike Ugbo rises to get his brace and put his side into a comfortable position with 37 minutes left to play.  

Mowbray swiftly makes substitutions bringing off the Captain Ivan Sunjic and Scott Hogan to be replaced by Paik Seung – Ho & Jay Stansfield. Paik tries to make an instant impact lofting a ball through to Stansfield who wasn’t able to keep possession.  

Mowbray decides more changes are needed to turn this game around Tyler Roberts and Koji Myoshi enter the pitch with Dembele and Ethan Laird departing.  

The game ends 2-0 to the home side with them moving seven points clear of last place Rotherham.  

My Overall Thoughts:  

I think we were very disappointing going forward having no threat with 25 shots over the whole game only managing 4 of them on target. Most of our chances were rushed especially when Dembele had the ball with no one pressuring him and in acers of space his shot was woeful. We also lacked fight because Blues were second best to most of the balls in the game. This proves that you can dominate a game but that doesn’t mean you will win because you need to take your chances and we didn’t do that which cost us the game.   

Blues now face one of Mowbray’s old teams in Blackburn Rovers who currently sit one place above us in 18th place. Do you think we will get back to winning ways?  

KRO Bluenoses.