Taught a lesson City 1-2 Birmingham

City were taught a lesson today by a better footballing team. Birmingham came down from the Premiership last term, and though relegated, their extra quality is still apparent. they were always quickest to the ball, and much of their passing was one touch to City's two or three touches.

They opened the scoring after just a few minutes, with a goal that looked suspiciously close to offside, but one that the City defence should have dealt with nevertheless. Their second goal, towards half time was a great strike, but again, a minute before when the Blues broke forward there was a shout for offside turned down, and then the Bluebirds defence failed to clear the ball and their player shot from outside he corner of the 18 yard box past Heaton in City's goal.

City lacked fire, and certainly lacked any ability to create chances. Ross McCormack again worked hard, as did Bothroyd, but most of his work again was chasing wide balls rather than being the target man in the box.

In truth City didn't deserver anything from the game, but a couple of late substitutions, including bringing on Eddie Johnson who was vilified following City's midweek defeat to the Jacks, shook City up a bit and finally, finally, McCormack ran at the defence, jinked inside and placed a great shot past Maik taylor in the Birmingham goal. With 3 minutes left plus 4 minutes of added time City pressed hard, and this was their best 7 minutes of the match, but eventually we came up short. My MoM was Kevin McNaughton who ran himslef into the ground today - shame some of the other's didn't.

City desperately need some confidence in front of goal, or else we'll be contemplating mid table medicority (or worse), sooner rather than later.