Match Report: Wolves 0 – 0 Birmingham

Published by Sam Hardwell
@HardwellSam
13th March 2016

Both Wolves and Birmingham shared the spoils at Molinuex in the midlands derby this afternoon – but the Blues could look back at today as two points dropped after missing numerous chances in their fight for a play-off place. 

Kenny Jackett looked for three wins on a trot at home, as he submitted two alterations to the sides’ last gasp winner versus Bristol City in the week. Price and Sigurdarson replace Mason and McDonald in a game where the occasion takes central stage for Wolves, with nothing but pride to play for. In contrast, the occasion for Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett was nothing but a distraction, as his side fight for a play-off spot being just five-points adrift of sixth-place Sheffield Wednesday prior to kick-off. Like Wolves, the Blues also ring in just two changes; Spector and Davies come in for Robinson and Maghoma in this Midlands derby.

The first real effort on goal came on the five minute mark, when an in-swinging corner found Connor Coady who leaped above make-shift defender Donaldson; but could only find the gloves of former Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

The first ten minutes had an old school feeling of ‘Next goal wins!’, as both sides struggled to settle and fended off both goals. This proved when Coady tried his luck form 30-yards and took a deflection off Jonathan Spector on its way, but only made sure that Kuszczak was still awake between the sticks.

As fans yawned and reporters considered an early smoke; Birmingham broke through the middle of the park and in stride. However, Donaldson could only fire over from range on the half-hour mark bringing ironic cheers from the home faithful.

The first real encouragement of the game came from ten minutes before the end of the first-half and it came through an unlikely source in Wolves right-back Iorfa. His striving run from deep carried him to the edge of the Blues area, but could only fire a shot that had sting taken out of it courtesy of a deflection.

The last five of the half seemed to come to life for Wolves; the first time the ball has been delivered from a wide area, and it just so happens it was the closest the game had come to a goal. The ball being crossed in by Byrne from the right and George Saville would hope to better himself come his next opportunity at goal.

HALF-TIME: WOLVES 0 – 0 BIRMINGHAM

Wolves Substitution: Michal Zyro replaces Nathan Byrne 

15 seconds into the second period, and almost the perfect impact by half-time substitute Zyro. It was his curling shot that drifted wide as he took the ball into his stride earning a standing ovation and a roar of anticipation.

Birmingham Subsitution: Jacques Maghoma replaces Mai Kieftenbeld

Birmingham came close on 57 minutes and ironically – it was the courtesy of a low-cross from left-back Grounds. However, his delivery was intercepted at the near post which resulted in a corner, so nearly forcing an own goal from defender Hause who did exceptionally well. 

Only moments later, the visitors were gifted the best chance of the game. Doherty being robbed of possession and hit the home side on the counter with Donaldson finding plenty of space as Ikeme raced from his line leaving an empty goal, but gave Coady the time to intervene.

Donaldson would hope that one of his chances would fall onto his stronger right side, as he missed yet another glorious chance to put his team in the lead and two points behind Sheffield Wednesday. As he scuffed a one-on-one versus Ikeme so agonisingly wide after being put through.

Wolves responded swiftly and had half of Molineux out of their seats as Helan sent a curling free-kick just wide of Kuszczak’s left-hand post.

Poor efforts in guilt edge chances seemed to be a curse playing through the Birmingham City team; as the ball fell kindly for Toral just seven-yards from goal and could only put it wide. Molineux breath a sigh of relief with just ten minutes remaining.

A couple of minutes later; great control, and a better shot from the ever confident Davies fired from the edge of the box destined for goal, but could only bring a sublime instinctive save via Ikeme who tipped it over for a corner.

Wolves Subsitution: Joe Mason replaces Jeremy Helan

FULL-TIME: WOLVES 0 – 0 BIRMINGHAM

Wolves XI: Ikeme; Iorfa, Batth (c), Hause, Doherty; Price, Coady, Saville; Byrne (45′), Sigurdarson, Helan (85′)

Subs: Martinez, Deslandes, Rowe, McDonald, Hunte, Mason (85′), Zyro (45′)

Birmingham XI: Kuszczak; Caddis, Morrison, Spector, Grounds; Kieftenbeld (55′), Gleeson, Davis, Cotterill; Toral, Donaldson

Subs: Legzdins, Robinson, Fabrini, Maghoma (55′), Arthur, Buckley, Shotton

MOTM: David Davies

Attendance: 21,464

Gunnarsson Ignores Slade’s Game Plan In Defeat

Cardiff City played host to Derby County on Saturday 31st January 2015, losing the game 2-0 with a slightly different philosophy within Slade’s usual “Hoof ball” system.

With the absence of David Marshall (club captain) and Ben Turner (vice), some wondered who would take on the arm-band for the clash with second place Derby County. The team-sheets were announced an hour prior to kick-off, as was the skipper for the Bluebirds in Icelandic skipper, Aaron Gunnarson.

A source from inside the football club (apparently a guest fan) over heard a brief conversation between Gunnarsson and Whittingham.

Allegedly, the conversation was spurred before kick-off as Gunnarsson took upon his own team-talk when in a huddle with the other ten players in the Cardiff side. The team-talk was apparently purely on an alternative approach to City’s open play by supporting and keeping the ball on the floor, preferred to Slade’s usually criticised “hoofball”.

Aaron Gunnarsson, 25, is no stranger when it comes to controversy. The forty-nine time capped intentional found fingers pointed in his direction when City’s team-sheet was leaked 24 hours prior to kick-off to opposing side Crystal Palace last season.

True or false, there defiantly was a noticeable change about the manner in how City approached the game. Most of the play was distributed from the back four, looking for new signing O’Keefe and both wide players in Harris and Noone.

Despite any attempts in an alternative philosophy, again, the striker(s) seemed to struggle to connect with the midfield in the final third of the pitch. The first attempt at goal took all of thirty-two minutes from Alex Revell, but was straight at Lee Grant in the Derby goal.

It was the same old story for Russell’s men, as an early Simon Moore penalty save from a controversial foul by skipper Aaron Gunnarsson couldn’t prevent Derby from victory. An own-goal from left-back Scott Malone and a Russell Martin header capped off yet another miserable day for the Bluebirds and now find themselves 13th, seven points off the relegation zone.

The final whistle brought a chorus of boos from the City faithful, as they let Russell and his men know, enough is enough.

By Sam Hardwell

@HardwellSam