MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h)

[Pepe the Horseman]

Mbengue MoM for me. So important to us and no coincidence that our shit run of form came when he was injured.

[Snowflake Royal]

That's a great draw

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Fantastic point!

[Royal_jimmy]

Decent performance, good point and probably should have nicked it. At times we made them look very average. Most players played well although Pereira was shaky.

First 0-0 at home for 17 months. On to Wigan away.

[blythspartan]

We were immense today. I felt we’d get a draw, but predicted 1-1.

I think Craig was fantastic, but I am a bit biased. I thought Wareham did well when he came on. We just need Dai to piss off.

[Brogue]

We were immense today. I felt we’d get a draw, but predicted 1-1.

I think Craig was fantastic, but I am a bit biased. I thought Wareham did well when he came on. We just need Dai to piss off.

Hi Michael

[traff]

Was a bit concerned when Wi-FI went down but Wareham plugged in well
Would just like to see better bandwidth .
Thought MC was on firewall today.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

MoM between Mbengue & Knibbs for me

Kinbbs did so much chasing down, tracking back, and winning the ball. Really helped us no end. Mbengue was just a rock

[Hound]

Played well today, enjoyed the game. Everyone did their bit, Garcia a lot better, Camara tidy and midfield massively improved from last time I saw them. Knibbs and Savage esp excellent

Good cameo from Wareham. Could definitely have nicked it

Thought Brum were a bit shit tbh. Boring as well. At least make the team entertaining if you’re going to spend that sort of money. Seen a lot better opponents atSCL this year

[Sutekh]

Brum Mail blaming the pitch for everything..

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/ ... g-31059736

[Sutekh]

42 points left to play for, 14 wins and Reading should comfortably avoid the play offs….

[Ark Royal]

Thoroughly enjoyable 0-0 and we were very much worth the point. Craig and Knibbs were immense and Mbengue's goal line clearance defied logic. Interesting to note that some on Birmingham fans' forum rated us the best side they have faced this season.

[PieEater]

Thoroughly enjoyable 0-0 and we were very much worth the point. Craig and Knibbs were immense and Mbengue's goal line clearance defied logic. Interesting to note that some on Birmingham fans' forum rated us the best side they have faced this season.

I can't help thinking that translates as 2 points when we should of had 6. Both games I thought we'd edged but didn't get the win.

Ignoring of course the incredible goal line clearance from Mbengue/

We played well today and on another day we'd have found something to score.

[stealthpapes]

Played well today, enjoyed the game. Everyone did their bit, Garcia a lot better, Camara tidy and midfield massively improved from last time I saw them. Knibbs and Savage esp excellent

Good cameo from Wareham. Could definitely have nicked it

Thought Brum were a bit shit tbh. Boring as well. At least make the team entertaining if you’re going to spend that sort of money. Seen a lot better opponents atSCL this year

Amongst the chat about how many feet in a yard, one astute point was that Birmingham seemed really lacking in pace. This was definitely true up front and played right into our defence's strengths.

[Clyde1998]

Agree that Craig and Mbengue was our best players. Bindon did very well too and shout out of Garcia who had one of his best defensive performances to date. Knibbs and Savage fought brilliantly.

Thought Campbell and Ehibhatiomhan were fairly lacklustre, especially in the second half. Wareham had a good game when he came on. Hope Wifi's injury isn't too bad.

Thought Birmingham were there for the taking today! For all the point record talk, they look very ordinary. Then again, the fact we can compete for the play-offs with our embargoes shows how little it would take for us to have a serious promotion bid if we were able to build upon this side (and/or hadn't lost any players since the January window last season).

[PieEater]

Just to add - I think they need to do something about head injuries. Cochrane held his head and faked a head injury at every opportunity, and remarkably recovered when Brum could break. I think the ref needs to show some concern and after 3 feigned injuries and send them off to get assessed for their own safety.

[katweslowski]

Few thoughts:

1) it was nice to have the "big game" feel with championship-esque opposition, with a packed away end. Felt a bit like the old days from a few years ago when this was a regular championship game.

2) Club1871's contingent which adjoins the away fans are oxf*rd bellmonts. Birmingham threw a flare but our fans are not blameless. I saw about 20 at least jumping all over the barriers, throwing things, egging them on etc. I'm sick of idiots like this - usually at away games but at home in the bigger games

3) I didn't think Garcia did well personally. He always seems a step behind, sloppy, weak.

4) Wareham looked great and brightened the game up. In stark contrast to Camara who shouldn't have started, very poor

5) Wing's great shot was a relief to see as we were continuing to fanny around the edge of the box and sometimes think we need to just smash the ball at the goal sometimes

6) Mbenge clearance was spectacular. Heard him on BBCRB speaking after celebrating 100 games. Didn't realise he had no English when joining. He's completely fluent now. His attitude seems brilliant and he gives an honest interview saying they're happy with another 7 days off and their aim is still playoff spots.

7) Thought the ref had a good game.

Fans did do that stupid screaming protest at corners, making out the ball wasn't in the right place - when it was actually on the line. Funny that the Birmingham player deliberately then moved the ball a foot off the line just to get a reaction.

9) I enjoyed not freezing my absolutely fanny off this time, and staring at the rain or wintery sky. Nice to have sun for a change.

10) I am sick of Perrerias very very slllloooooow goal kicks/restarts. Just get oxf*rd on with it.

[Orion1871]

Thought the entire backline did well today, especially Craig and Mbengue. Hope we keep up that effort to block crosses coming in for the remaining games of the season and don't revert back to type.

With some quality up front, we would have taken all three points. I'm sorry but I can't agree that Wareham had a good game. He may have run around a lot as he always does, but he missed one of our best chances (I'll give him that it was a tight angle) and he played a poor cut back when Savage was free on the edge of the box. His best moment of the game was chasing back defensively, but you need your striker to be doing the business in front of goal. Kelvin isn't up to playing up front on his own unfortunately. They'd probably be better as a big man little man pair in a 442.

[Ascotexgunner]

Fantastic performance. Craigs best performance in the shirt, Garcias also, both worked really hard and had 100% concentration for a change......
Bindon and Mbengue looked another level.
Thoughts on Birmingham was, what did they spend 40 mill on?
Their defence looks ropey as f*ck and so slow, shame we didn't have a bit more pace because their right side looks week. ..... They also picked up some injuries, hopefully they will start dropping some points. Their fans have been moaning about our pitch as well. Stuff em....

[RoyalBlue]

Decent performance, good point and probably should have nicked it. At times we made them look very average. Most players played well although Pereira was shaky.

First 0-0 at home for 17 months. On to Wigan away.

IMO Pereira was very solid and made a couple of key saves. The only time that he looked 'shaky' IMO was on some occasions when he had the ball at his feet. Some of our passing across the back just yards from our goal line was bordering on suicidal and could've cost us dear.