1 week Ago By [email protected] (Alex Dicken)
Birmingham City returned to winning ways in League One in convincing fashion on Saturday with a 3-1 victory at Lincoln City. Blues secured yet another comeback win after falling behind just 34 seconds into their match at Sincil Bank. Bailey Cadamarteri’s opening goal was cancelled out by Keshi Anderson (2) and Willum Willumsson.
Goalkeeper Ryan Allsop made a fantastic penalty save to preserve Blues' lead before Anderson's game-clinching third goal. Chris Davies’ Blues have won 13 points from losing positions this season – more than half of their League One points tally. Blues now have a gap of five points to third place.
READ: Allsop opens up on ‘surreal’ moment, research and what Blues must ‘get rid of’ READ: Chris Davies gives injury updates on Stansfield, Wright and Hansson Here are our talking points following the win at Lincoln...
Allsop takes the acclaim Goalkeeper has been a problem position for Blues this season despite the strength of the department. Allsop and Bailey Peacock-Farrell have Championship pedigree and are in their peak years. Allsop’s performances since dislodging Peacock-Farrell have been calming.
He is exceptional with the ball at his feet and always available to take the pressure off his defenders but, most importantly, his hands have been quite safe too. The timing of Allsop’s penalty save was crucial. Lincoln lacked quality but you wouldn’t have bet against them shutting up shop for a draw had they equalised.
Allsop made sure Blues got three precious points. This could be Alfie May’s chance The debate over who should be Blues’ striker could soon rage again. With Jay Stansfield out, Alfie May seized his chance back in the position against Lincoln.
Whilst May couldn’t convert his best chance, he did provide two assists and smashed a shot against the woodwork from 25 yards. He played for the team which is all Davies asks for. Davies shifted May when Stansfield signed and the combination hasn’t been completely effective.
May in particular has struggled to shine in a deeper position. Stansfield has admitted in the past that he is more than happy to operate deeper, which would solve the issue, but Davies likes the idea of Blues’ record signing playing on the shoulder of the last defender. If May continues to thrive in Stansfield’s absence, as he did at Lincoln, then Davies might reconsider how he uses them together.
Birmingham City striker Alfie May attempts a shot against Lincoln Anderson has taken his Who says a new contract spoils a player? Anderson made his most productive performance yet for Blues a week after signing a new deal. Anderson has won over not only Davies but also the travelling supporters. Before the match started a young Bluenose read out the team and Anderson’s name prompted one of the loudest cheers.
A player who hasn’t always been appreciated at Blues, certainly by the managers he’s worked under, most definitely is now. Anderson wants to join Blues on their rise through the leagues. His latest performance gives him some credit in the bank and quite possibly puts him back at the top of the pecking order when it comes to Blues’ wide men.
“I saw very early on from Keshi Anderson, in the first week of pre-season, why when it mattered at the end of last season he played,” said Davies. “He’s a reliable player, a trustworthy player who works hard for the team and he’s got quality.” Slow starts and set piece goals Blues had issues with set pieces last season and they haven’t quite been eradicated with new personnel.
Christoph Klarer couldn’t get a clean contact on a first minute long throw-in and Blues conceded via that route for the second successive league game. Four of the last five goals Blues have conceded have arrived from set pieces. Davies addressed it unprompted in his post-match interview.
“We’ve defended set pieces very well this season but there’s been a few lapses, a few where we haven’t quite been ourselves, so it’s something we have to look at,” he admitted. When this team starts game quickly and regains its focus at set pieces, it will be very hard to beat. Get the latest Blues headlines sent straight to your phone BirminghamLive has its very own Birmingham City WhatsApp community to deliver the latest headlines straight to your phone.
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