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Birmingham v Swansea
Birmingham v Swansea Sat 13 Jan 15:00
Today is our first league match under new head-coach Luke Williams.
He has had a week to prepare the team following his appointment the day before our FA Cup win over Morecambe last Saturday.
Coincidentally Birmingham have a new manager too, the experienced Tony Mowbray, fresh from his recent shock dismissal at Sunderland.
Birmingham’s previous manager Wayne Rooney was fired recently after only three months in charge and winning only 2 of his 15 matches at the helm.
Swans have several players missing through injury, Key, Walsh and Abdulai amongst them. Two players have returned from loan spells though, Brandon Cooper and Josh Thomas, and could be included in the match day squad.
Hard to predict the outcome of this one with both teams having a new leader and the benefit of the new manager “bounce” effect.
A draw would do us nicely, thanks.
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Birmingham 2 (Dembele 37’, James 95’) - Swansea 2 (Darling 35’, Lowe 58’)
A draw it was then, but it felt like a defeat after conceding so late in added time again.
I thought we were okay going forward but towards the end we tried to consolidate the win and it backfired.
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With only 1 win in the last 10 games Birmingham were considered easy meat by many, but this is Swansea and twice we threw away the lead with a lethargic display, we couldn’t match Birmingham’s aggression, our passes going astray under pressure and weak defending against a side that had forgotten how to win.
This is a trait that has continued throughout the season, multiple points dropped from winning positions, same mistakes different manager.
With Birmingham aggressive in the press they could have won at a canter with 6 v 3 shots on target. Swansea under Williams have reverted to old ways, trying to pass the ball out from the back again but with little success as they continuously lost possession.
There were some bright spots with the goals but overall an unsatisfactory debut for Luke Williams in the hot seat, outsmarted by his opposite number, the wily Tony Mowbray.
Alan Sheehan got a better tune out of these players in his short time in charge.
I fear for us next week against Southampton if that weak defensive display is repeated.
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Didnt look too bad on the highlights. I suppose the worst bits are cut out.
It was our best chance this month of getting any points.
Southampton home and Leicester away coming up.
Our defending needs sorting out, where was Cabango yesterday, injured?
Darling out wide is not great defensively, same with Tymon, but both good going forward, Darling being our only threat in the air.
A busy week ahead on the training pitch, Martin will be rubbing his hands with glee in anticipation of next Saturday.