 |
Birmingham
City v West Bromwich Albion
St Andrew's, Birmingham.
11th March 2006 12.00pm. |
| Back
to Previous Page |
Match
Preview |
 |
 |
| Result |
Birmingham City |
1 - 1 |
West Bromwich Albion |
| Scorers |
Mikael Forssell (pen 49)
|
Nathan Ellington (70) |
| Attendance |
28,041 |
| Teams |
4-4-2
1 - Maik Taylor (GK)
8 - Martin Latka
29 - Mario Melchiot
2 - Martin Taylor
20 - Nicky Butt
10 - David Dunn
22 - Damien Johnson
11 - Stan Lazaridis
7 - Jermaine Pennant
9 - Mikael Forssell
16 - Emile Heskey |
4-3-3
(GK) Tomasz Kuszczak - 29
Martin Albrechtsen - 14
Curtis Davies - 19
Paul Robinson - 3
Ronnie Wallwork - 24
Steve Watson - 16
Jonathan Greening - 8
Junichi Inamoto - 33
Jan Kozak - 13
Kevin Campbell - 21
Diomansy Kamara - 15 |
| Substitutes |
18 - Nico Vaesen (GK)
24 - Alex Bruce
6 - Muzzy Izzet
15 - Neil Kilkenny
28 - Dudley Campbell |
(GK) Chris Kirkland -
20
Neil Clement - 6
Darren Carter - 17
Nathan Ellington - 22
Nwankwo Kanu - 25 |
| Substitutions |
M Izzet for J Pennant
(56)
D Campbell for M Forssell (77)
N Kilkenny for D Dunn (80) |
N Clement for
P Robinson (42)
N Kanu for J Inamoto (68)
N Ellington for K Campbell (68) |
| Yellow Cards |
Mario Melchiot (26)
Nicky Butt (88) |
Paul Robinson (41)
Neil Clement (71)
Ronnie Wallwork (73) |
| Red Cards |
None |
None |
| Referee |
P Dowd (Staffordshire) |
Although a draw would
have been a satisfactory result beforehand, and should therefore
inherently remain so, you can't help thinking that this is a game
Albion should've won. Having missed three glaring opportunities
which could've added two invaluable points to the Baggies' total,
the result appears somewhat unsatisfactory. Both managers can put
a positive spin on the game, Robson can point to the positive performance,
Bruce can suggest that maybe their luck is changing, but in their
heart of hearts, I'm sure it is the Albion manager that will feel
far happier.
Robson chose to keep the same formation that had unsettled the Champions
the previous week, but made a change at the back with Steve Watson
replacing Neil Clement. It was a change that many Albion fans had
been looking for following a number of below par displays from Clement.
Albion may have had the better of the game, but it wasn't all plain
sailing. The home side created a couple of chances early on with
David Dunn's 20 yard effort that whistled past the post probably
the best. But the Baggies started to force their way into the game
with the 4-3-3 formation again proving effective. Both Kamara and
Greening were supporting Campbell well with Kozak sitting in just
behind using the ball extremely effectively.
As an attacking force, Albion started to look dangerous as the half
wore on, and the best chance fell to Kamara on the half hour. He
advanced down the left and fed the ball into Greening on the edge
of the box. He beat Latka before squaring the ball across the six
yard line, where it was met by Kamara who had continued his run,
but somehow he fired well wide with the goal at his mercy. The chance
to atone seconds later was created by himself, but was also squandered,
although it was a much more difficult proposition. And Campbell
managed to get in on the act before half time. Kamara laid Wallwork's
header beautifully into the skipper's path leaving him with only
Maik Taylor to beat - he controlled it well but the side-footed
the ball against the post - Martin Taylor was on hand to block Kozak's
effort from the rebound.
Albion suffered another blow before half-time when Robinson was
forced off with an injury - Clement came on at left back.
It looked like Albion would be made to pay for their missed chances
when Birmingham took the lead just after the break from the penalty
spot. The award was a little controversial as Forssell did appear
to nudge Davies in the back before the foul challenge, but Davies'
tackle was certainly rash. Forssell converted the kick himself.
But credit to Albion, they responded well as Kamara and Inamoto
both went close to giving Albion the equaliser. But it took a change
from Robson to shake things up. He swapped Inamoto and Campbell
for Ellington and Kanu, and was innovative in his formation by playing
Kanu in behind a front two of Ellington and Kamara. The effect was
almost immediate.
Ellington challenged Melchiot for a high ball and the Dutchman could
only poke the ball high in the air. He failed to deal with it again
when it dropped, and Kamara latched onto it and played a ball through
for Kanu. The Nigerian maestro then laid a simple ball back to the
Duke who fired the ball into the corner of the net with his first
touch of the ball.
From then on, Albion always looked the more likely winner and laid
siege to the Blues goal with a series of corners late on. No clear
cut chances resulted until injury time when Greening played a ball
over the top for the Duke. He controlled it well, advanced into
the area, but his shot cannoned off the crossbar and was cleared.
It was a good performance from Albion, and it should give them confidence
for the remainder of the season. Greening and Kamara were excellent
in supporting Campbell, although Joe's finishing left much to be
desired. Wallwork was superb once again, and Jan Kozak offered the
creativity in the centre of midfield that has so often been lacking.
Watson looked very good at the back alongside Davies, and has probably
done enough to retain his place, although the injury to Robinson
might see Clem back in the starting line-up anyway.
One huge positive was the goal for Ellington. It will hopefully
give him that shot of confidence he needs, although if only he could
have buried that one near the end.
A draw leaves the relegation issue wide open, but Albion have the
advantage with points on the board. Portsmouth's victory over Man
City brings them a little closer to the action, although it is still
a big ask for them to make up six points even though they have the
easier run-in on paper.
Marks
Tomasz Kuszczak - 7 - One dodgy moment with Wallwork; otherwise
did well.
Martin Albrechtsen - 5 - Struggled against Dunn; got caught once
or twice.
Curtis Davies - 6 - Had a tough day against Heskey; better after
the break.
Paul Robinson - 6 - Did well up until the injury.
Ronnie Wallwork - 8 - Another excellent performance, but a very
silly booking late on.
Steve Watson - 7 - Solid performance.
Jonathan Greening - 8 - MOM. His best game of the season; a constant
threat and his dead ball deliveries were improved.
Junichi Inamoto - 7 - Solid display from Ina.
Jan Kozak - 8 - Very impressive on the ball, and some excellent
corners. Very intelligent distribution.
Kevin Campbell - 7 - Decent display, worked well as the central
striker.
Diomansy Kamara - 7 - Very effective, but what a miss!
Neil Clement - 6 - Did OK, but perhaps fortunate not to have to
face Pennant for too long.
Nathan Ellington - 7 - Great goal; good overall performance.
Nwankwo Kanu - 6 - Did OK.
Bryan Robson - 8 - A good day for Robbo. The formation worked, the
team selection worked and the substitution was very effective.
Jon Want, 14th March 2006.
|
| ^ Back to Top
|
|
