Birmingham City talking points after the 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic ended Blues’ winning home run
Paik Seung-ho of Birmingham City reacts following the draw with Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic dented Birmingham City’s home record by coming from behind to nick a point at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.
After successive away defeats, Blues returned to B9 in the hope of securing a fifth straight home victory but Charlton had other ideas.
Second-half substitute Tyreece Campbell fired home to cancel out Christoph Klarer’s header as Charlton became only the fourth team to take anything from St Andrew’s this season.
Here are our talking points…
Blues lacked punch
The two managers disagreed over which team deserved more than their point in the post-match press conferences and there are compelling cases for both.
To support Chris Davies’ argument, Blues had more possession, more shots and worked visiting goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski plenty of times, whereas Charlton scored from their only shot on target.
But Nathan Jones pointed to a miss from striker Miles Leaburn before half-time that really should have been gobbled up in a game that was short of genuine goal-scoring opportunities.
What is fair to say about Blues’ performance is that it lacked punch up top once again. Their two main attackers, Marvin Ducksch and Jay Stansfield, didn’t look like scoring.
Demarai Gray shows up
One attacker who has really shone for Blues of late is Demarai Gray. By his own admission, Gray wasn’t entirely happy with some of his early-season games, but he has really got into his flow since the Championship resumed after the November international break.
Gray had racked up five goal contributions in the five games before Charlton and was desperately unlucky not to score with two shots that cannoned back off the woodwork.
Blues boss Davies commented: “What Dimmy is doing great is influencing the game with goals and assists but he’s also able to finish games really strong.
“Some players lose that zip and speed as the game goes on but Dimmy always seems to have an extra gear, and that would have been the best solo goal since I’ve been at the club; it was incredible. It was a really good effort.
“Dimmy has been a real bright spark. I think Patrick (Roberts) has been excellent for us but I wanted to make a change on that side at that point. The wingers have been doing really well for us.”
Demarai Gray of Birmingham City is challenged by James Bree of Charlton Athletic (Image: Getty Images)
The Allsop vs Beadle debate rages
There were plenty of Bluenoses who were happy to see the return of Ryan Allsop in goal against Charlton – even if it was only because James Beadle was injured.
By the sounds of it, Allsop has a few games to stake his claim again to be No.1 before Beadle returns.
Even Allsop would admit that Charlton wasn’t his best effort. His nonchalance playing out in the first half should have resulted in Leaburn scoring for Charlton and Allsop could only parry Isaac Olaofe’s centre into Campbell’s path for the equaliser.
Most would admit there is little to choose from between Allsop and Beadle. Allsop’s distribution is his unique selling point but those raking long balls to the wide players that wreaked havoc in League One haven’t transferred to the Championship.
Working in Beadle’s favour is his save percentage. According to FBREF, Allsop has conceded 11 goals from 19 shots on target – plus Bright Osayi-Samuel’s own goal at Coventry – to give him a save percentage of 47%. Beadle, meanwhile, boasts a 69% save percentage.
The quality of finishes should obviously be taken into account, but Beadle has been more economical with his hands.
An enormous 16 days for Blues
Blues couldn’t keep winning at home, hence why there is such concern about the away form. A trip to Sheffield United next weekend is a daunting prospect given their recent improvement and Chris Wilder will have the Blades fired up after a poor performance at West Bromwich Albion on Friday.
After Sheffield United Blues will play Derby and Southampton at St Andrew’s, before a trip to Watford on New Year’s Day, and another home game against league leaders Coventry on January 4 making it five games in 16 days.
This is a defining period in Blues’ season. They have to close the five-point gap to the play-offs rather than allow this run of results to rumble on.
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