Plaudits But No Points As City Travail For Naught
Sunday 31st January, 1999
Birmingham City (1) 2
Bradford City (1) 1
Bradford had no shortage of praise for the performance after a last minute penalty by Birmingham’s Paul Furlong gave the Midlanders a ill deserved win, but City know that they only have themselves to blame for the loss.
A late foul in the box by Darren Moore (right) on Birmingham’s ineffectual Peter Ndlovu gave the Blues a chance to turn around the game that they looked certain to lose after first half strike by Jamie Lawrence, set up after Robbie Blake danced his way through the Birmingham defence to glory.
Birmingham equalised through Furlong just before half time but Bradford looked the better team in the second half, with Peter Beagrie going closest with a curling shot onto the bar and Lee Mills surprisingly failing to take any of the half chances that came his way.
Late into injury time a draw looked harsh on City and this may have been in the mind of the Bantams’ players as, with the ball deep in the Birmingham possession was squandered allowing Ndlovu’s break and subsequent penalty.
The need to kill the ball off with possession was exaggerated by an injury to Darren Moore, seeing him trot gingerly away from a clash with the Birmingham forwards as City broke and being caught out only seconds later when the ball came back.
As with the FA Cup exit at the hands of Newcastle, City can take heart from the performance and pride from the plaudits heaped on them but Jewell must instil in them the need for attentiveness. Blake’s miss lead to Shearer’s goal last week just as trying to grab an away win caused defeat on Sunday.
As with the back to back defeats against Huddersfield and QPR City must bounce back with another run of nine or ten unbeaten games. A target of 11 points from the next five games was set. To keep on track the Bantams must win all three home encounters in February (Watford, Ipswich and West Brom) and the away trip to Sheffield United.
However, should the squad continue to create the chances, to dig in and to defend as they did today, then this is not an unrealistic aim, as I’m sure those bestowing acclaim on City would attest to.
Bradford City: Gk: Walsh RB: Wright LB: Jacobs RCM: McCall RCD: Moore LCD: Westwood RM: Lawrence LCF: Blake RCF: Mills LCM: Whalley LM: Beagrie. Subs: Rankin. Subs Not Used: O'Brien, Prudhoe, Ramage & Todd. Man Of The Match: Gareth Whalley: Contributed all over the field.We Wuz Robbed? Your opinions to MichaelWood@Iname.com
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