KwAcKy's Konfessional |
|
|
Nothing of interest; just mindless links to bikes Birmingham City Football Club and useless junk  
  
|
11 April 2004
Blues v Man United 
Blues' hopes of reaching Europe in only their second season in the top flight suffered a set back thanks to some poor defending and poor decision making. With the number of remaining games dwindling, Arsenal's recent result and the widening points gap, Manchester United's hopes of another title were all but dashed before the game. Blues lined up in familiar 4-4-2 but with Lazaridis at left back and a midfield of Hughes, Clemence, Savage and Johnson. Man United appeared to be going with 3-5-2 with Giggs partnering Saha and Solskjaer on the wing. Blues looked the more comfortable of the two teams and passed the ball neatly and with confidence. However, United had brought along their own ref and Dermot Gallagher allowed Morrison to be used as a climbing frame and gave free reign to Djemba-Djemba to use any method to win man or ball. Lazaridis went down within the first 15 minutes and had to be carried off and was replaced by Grainger. This change didn't slow down the home side as Blues looked to take the early lead and they twice came close within a couple of minutes. Carroll saved well from a Hughes attempt and then the crossbar thwarted an excellent shot from Savage. Clemence squandered a good chance when he tried to lob the ball into the net when a straight forward first time smash would have sufficed. At the back the usual pairing of Cunningham and Upson mopped up what little there was of Man United's attacks. Manchester seemed to lack a decent ball in from the wing and clearly miss a player like Beckham. Birmingham, on the other hand, were dominating the right hand side and also proved that Blues have their own free kick maestro. Grainger powered in the opener from a free kick. Both the wall and the keeper were beaten and Blues rightfully took the lead. Half time couldn't come quick enough for the visitors. An injured Grainger didn't reappear and was replaced by Clapham. This left back spot appears to be jinxed. Not long after the restart Fergie brought on Ronaldo and changed the formation to 4-5-1 with Giggs dropping back. Blues struggled to deal with the change and Ronaldo was having little trouble in terrorising the wing. Forssell's shot was sandwiched by some fine flowing football from Manchester which saw Maik Taylor save well from Scholes and Saha. Savage appeared to be tired but it was later revealled he had an injury. The midfield was being lost, as were most of the decisions. Man United drew level when Ronaldo scored, despite the fact that Saha appeared to be both offside and interferring with play. Blues tried to fight back but a Giggs free kick (which shouldn't have been awarded) was met by Saha who managed to head the ball home over what must be one of the tallest defences in the league. Blues were unlucky to come away empty handed. Ratings M Taylor - 8 - some first class saves Lazaridis - 7 - just getting warmed up Upson - 7 - looking more relaxed Cunningham - 8- would have made the manager proud Tiny - 7 - coped well (apart from the Saha goal) Hughes - 9 MOM - some quality football, unlucky not to score Clemence - 7 - Drifted in and out of the game Savage - 8 - played well and really got stuck in DJ - 8 - Looked like he was enjoying himself Morrison - 6 - Man handled out of the game Forssell -7 - His hesitation could have cost us Grainger - 7 - great goal but lacked pace Clapham - 6 - looked unsettled John - 6 - offered little |
