Thoughts from last night

Not an unexpected result against a very well organised and clinical Birmingham side.

However, we matched them first half, and were unlucky to be losing at half time.

Their first goal was from a very poor piece of defending by McNulty, misjudging the bounce, and Burke got a big slice of luck, with the defelction off Edwards looping over Steele.

Good goal to equalise, Cotterill did really well, should have had a penalty, but kept going and squared it for Davies to bang it home.

Second B'ham goal we stood off them and let them play around the box, when the tackle finally came in from Smith, it was hit first time, in off the post for a great finish but should've been closed down/cleared earlier.

Two peices of bad luck meant were were 1-2 down not 3-2 up. Davies hitting the bar and Matt Done yards onside with a great goal. Linesman and ref apalling all night, and this summed them up - useless.

Second half B'ham did a job on us, very hard to break down and we ran out of steam & ideas and started lumping it long as we couldn't pass through them.

Lack of creativity showed yet again how much we are missing Butterfield, Vaz Te and Drinkwatter.

Third goal was excellent cross by danger man Burke and a really sweet strike by the young lad Redmond. At least he's English.

Overall player reviews

Steele - couldn't be blamed for any of the goals, kicking much better, one bizarre "ballet dancing" bit of tomfoolery but sound enough

Wiseman - looks good bringing ball out of defence with his pace, bit shaky at times defensively but ok

Edwards - Did ok, a few errors, unlucky with the goal

McNulty - wasn't his night, couldn't do anything right and at fault for 1st goal

McEveley - got ripped a new a rs e hole by Burke, but to be fair, so would most fullbacks. Burke is a right player and that backheel on the touchline will be on showboat on SoccerAM on Setdy.

Cotterill - showed plenty of promise, set up goal, looking good for when he's match fit

Smith - quality performace, all action midfielder, my MOM

Digby - did really well, looks a very good prospect, hard to believe he's just turned 17

Done - a bit isolated, took his "goal" well, tends to drift out of games when he should be scaring defenders to death with his pace. Needs to learn from Burke's performance.

Dagnall - playing "in the hole" in a 4-4-1-1, doesn't look up Championship standard at the moment but never got any decent service. Lumping it long 2nd half made him look worse than he was. No goal threat seen in games so far, which is a worry.

Davies - led line well, good goal but again long high balls are not his forte. Missing the service from the departed/injured trio.

Subs : none of them did anything to change the game, flung on in desperation and hope it seemed.

It's obvious we have gone backwards since losing the 3 players, and the replacements are not as good. Smith for Drinkwater is the nearest we've got it right. Looks like a limp on to safety, get Butterfield fit, and find a flair player to fill Vaz Te's boots is the plan.

Doesn't sound like Dawson is too attack minded so it would be nice to see Clark or Rose given some time to impress and cause a threat. Dagnall needs to adapt fast or I can see one of these youngsters grabbing his place.

Usual loss at Coventry coming up .... stay at home if I was you.

Hope this helps.