From The Times April 10, 2007 Nardiello lands sucker punch as 25-man brawl mars victory Barnsley 1 Birmingham City 0: Bruce bemoans poor finishing after latest poor defeat Jason Mellor Standing behind the away dugout, as helpless as the 6,500 travelling fans around him to prevent Birmingham City’s latest unfolding chapter of spring woe, Andrew Cole’s frustration was almost palpable. Even on one good hamstring he would have fancied himself to have taken any of the plethora of chances his teammates failed to accept. Injury means that the experienced forward is yet to play for Steve Bruce after his arrival on loan from Portsmouth last month and how his new club could have done with his savvy in front of goal as they wasted their latest opportunity to cement a place in the top two. Four points from their past five matches hardly smacks of a juggernaut-like momentum towards regaining the Barclays Premiership place surrendered last year, while Barnsley hung on for only their second victory in six matches, a win that levers them out of the bottom three, despite their area resembling the Alamo for most of the second half. Bobby Hassell, the Barnsley defender, and Neil Danns, the Birmingham substitute, were sent off for their roles in a 25-man brawl after the final whistle in which Ryan Kidd, the Barnsley assistant manager, appeared to play a prominent role. Bruce was more concerned about dissecting another damaging defeat and he said: “I know that will take most of the headlines, but I can’t really comment until I’ve seen the referee’s report. I didn’t see their assistant wading in, but I’m not interested in the fracas, I’m more interested in trying to win leagues.” Simon Davey, his opposite number, was a little more forthcoming about the spat. “Bobby says he’s done nothing, so we’ll look to see if we can appeal,” he said. “It’s the usual handbags, but I don’t know what sparked it.” Cole looked on in increasing bewilderment at his colleagues’ ineptitude in front of goal, Cameron Jerome setting the tone before the interval when he aimed a wild miskick at a cross from Rowan Vine as the forward stood unmarked in front of goal. It became worse for Birmingham after the break, Stephen Kelly and Martin Taylor going close with headers as the City defenders spent more time in the Barnsley half than their own. When DJ Campbell had penalty appeals ignored after a challenge by Antony Kay, the visiting team sensed that it was not to be their day. Daniel Nardiello’s fifth goal of the season and second in as many games arrived during a brief respite from Birmingham pressure. The Barnsley forward showed the City players how it should be done, earning possession on the corner of the area before curling home a right-foot shot seven minutes into the second half. “It’s cruel,” Bruce said. “It seemed only a matter of time before we scored, but it’s been our Achilles’ heel since Christmas. Andy Cole must have been sat there thinking what he could have done with all of those chances.” Barnsley (4-4-2): N Colgan — B Hassell, L Nyatanga, A Kay, A Eckersley (sub: P Heckingbottom, 36min) — K Reid, S Togwell, B Howard, M Devaney (sub: G McCann, 76) — I Ferenczi, D Nardiello (sub: P Rajczi, 84). Substitutes not used: D Lucas, R Jones. Booked: Togwell. FORM WLLLWL NEXT Southend (a) Birmingham City (4-4-2):C Doyle — B N’Gotty (sub: J Gray, 75), R Jaidi, Martin Taylor, S Kelly — R Vine (sub: N Bendtner, 59), D Johnson (sub: N Danns, 71), F Muamba, P McSheffrey — C Jerome, D Campbell. Substitutes not used: Maik Taylor, M Nafti. FORM LLWDLW NEXT Southampton (h)
and report from the guardian Match report Brawl compounds Bruce's woe as slip-ups become slide John Ashdown at Oakwell Tuesday April 10, 2007 The Guardian It has not been a good Easter for Steve Bruce and Birmingham City, to say the least. This defeat, their second 1-0 reverse in three days, has seen their stutter in form become a stagger. Daniel Nardiello's delightful finish seven minutes into the second half was enough to secure a satisfying victory for Barnsley after a tenacious display, but Bruce can have had few more frustrating afternoons. Birmingham could not match Barnsley's fighting spirit during the game, but they did so afterwards, with players and club officials involved in an on-pitch brawl. Barnsley's Bobby Hassell and City's Neil Danns received red cards and both clubs can expect an Football Association charge, though neither manager could shed light on what sparked off the incident. Article continues "I'm not interested in the fracas, to be honest," said Bruce. "I'm more interested in trying to win leagues." That is looking a tall order now and Bruce's miserable afternoon was compounded when he was greeted with boos by the 7,000-strong travelling support at the final whistle. The result at Pride Park may temper the Blues' disappointment but not the one at Southampton. Bruce's side have now won only once in their last five games and have scored just 12 times in 15 games. Chances were created - again - but none taken - again. Countless corners were swung in but headed wide, possession dominated but too often squandered. "It's cruel, isn't it?" said the City manager. "When you analyse it now you just think: 'Is it possible to create so many chances and keep missing them?' I think everybody in the ground was thinking it was just a matter of time before we scored. We had two or three chances in the first half, we must have had eight in the second but we haven't taken one and it has cost us badly." Gary McSheffrey was perhaps the chief culprit but Cameron Jerome, Rowan Vine and, to a lesser extent, DJ Campbell were also guilty of profligacy. All four started in an attack-minded Birmingham side and at a combined cost of £10m Bruce is entitled to expect more from the quartet: Jerome has not scored since February 17, McSheffrey since February 11 and Vine has managed one in his last 14 outings. "I can't fault them for effort and endeavour," said Bruce, "but you have to score a goal. It's where we have invested all our money on big players and they haven't given us that return, unfortunately." Neither side could have remained unaffected by Saturday's results - Birmingham's home loss to Burnley, Barnsley's 5-1 mauling at Ipswich - but the home side appeared to respond better than the visitors. Pride had been stung rather than morale sapped. Derby and Sunderland have each triumphed at Oakwell in the last month, but Simon Davey's side gave a determined performance that was unrecognisable from the ones that saw them surrender so meekly to City's promotion rivals. For Birmingham, chances came along like buses. It took 20 minutes for their first to arrive - Jerome poking wide - then they arrived with regularity. Fabrice Muamba scuffed two presentable chances in the first half, then dallied when a purposeful run would have seen him clean through in the second. Niklas Bendtner then hit a post after a goalmouth scramble, but the only player to show the requisite composure in front of goal was Nardiello. The former Manchester United forward cut inside from the left before curling the ball past Colin Doyle to lift Barnsley out of the bottom three in the table. "I'd rather be out of the relegation zone on May 6," said Davey. "It's hard for the players to look at themselves in the bottom three, but we know what we have to do to stay out of it. They've proved today that if they work hard and fight for each other they'll get themselves clear of the danger zone."
Don't think Colgan was tested during the game, we probably tested Doyle more with the couple of efforts in 1st half and Ferenczis in the 2nd. As for the brawl. Kidd did run across, but at the time was to try seperate it all. From my view looked like the players then went for him. Very poor losers!!!! Finally, great to see Bruce lose it when Danns missed late on and he threw the bottle in temper.
hi mate me too , seriously though - every time I miss a game we seem to win, its getting ridiculous - never been so nervous watching the results come in I don't think! It was crazy, Leeds winning then conceding 2 in last 10 then Southend went and spoilt it by pulling two back v Preston. Next Saturday is going to be so nerve wracking, praying we can get at least a point! I am revising this week as have got Solicitors Accounts exams next week which are pretty tough, what are you upto?
