For the first twenty or so minutes, Birmingham were dominant but Charlton were resolute and equal to the task, if not competitive. In a bizarre moment that caused Birmingham and their supporters to rage, Ashley Maynard-Brewer looked to have handled the ball outside of the box but escaped without punishment. Having escaped that calamity, Charlton looked to get a hold in the game but Birmingham’s righteous indignation proved a problem. Then, in a moment of haplessness, Birmingham’s pressure proved fruitful. Jay Stansfield, the always-angry, snot-nosed, beady-eyed, chinless wonder, made his own opportunity by hounding a complacent Conor Coventry and stealing the ball away to charge down the wing and finish past Maynard-Brewer with a targeted blast from ten yards. That was the only goal of the first half, though Birmingham certainly had a host of opportunities that could have seen them clear.
Charlton were more competitive in the second half, which was, on a whole, a much more scrappy affair. Ashley Maynard-Brewer was replaced through injury by Will Mannion, who looked composed in his return, though he had little to do. Charlton changed shape but to little initial effect, while Birmingham continued to press for more. Further changes were made, first with Daniel Kanu and Karoy Anderson, then with Miles Leaburn and Alex Gilbert coming on. Kanu had a half chance and Leaburn seemed to cause the Birmingham backline trouble but, otherwise, Charlton were rather blunt in attack and real opportunities were rare. I thought the match was poised for a late Leaburn equaliser, more in hope than based on anything on display this afternoon. But that wasn’t to be and Charlton left empty handed.
Birmingham were good for the win. On another day, Charlton may have nicked a result but it’s clear that, though the recent run has been impressive, we’re short of the quality needed to pose trouble at the very top.
Birmingham 1 Charlton 0
Over to you.
Comments
Three games isnt a benchmark for where we could be
probably more down/disappointed due to results elsewhere rather than the loss here- but march is unfortunately going to be all or nothing, especially when we have huffed and puffed out way towards the top6 rather than being head and shoulders above the teams we’ve beaten!
0-1 Carabao Cup
1-0 L1
0-1 L1
so next in sequence must be
1-0 Wembley, Play Off Final
But I really don’t understand what this fawning about them is today. We 100% were not embarrassed by them, and basically although unable to really do much ourselves - kept them
to barely any chances.
Glad the game is out the way now. Plenty teams around us need to play them.
When we beat Birmingham 1-0 at the Valley were we suddenly good enough to survive in the Championship?
That loss won't define our season, hopefully we can bounce straight back next game vs Exeter like we did after Rotherham.
Without being salty, I thought for how much they spent, they didn't show much class, especially late on. They have a lot of individually talented players, so it was a shame to see them play so cynical.
Anyway, safe travels all, on to the next
But I will have one moan. it was obvious after only about 20 minutes that it wasn't an afternoon for fancy football up front - even more so given that Campbell had a pretty awful game today - and that this was an afternoon for a bit of muscle. And yet it was nearly 75 minutes before either Leaburn or Aneke made their bow. Jones should have got one or other of them on much earlier.
I fear Birmingham will fail to make the play offs.
Onto Exeter at The Valley where we will bounce back 💪