Birmingham – no away goals in ten weeks

Thu Mar 31 2016

In mid-January Birmingham City won 3-0 away to Derby and at home to Ipswich to put themselves in joint sixth place - only outside the play-off places because of inferior goal difference.

Since then they have played nine games - winning two, drawing four and losing three and, although their defence has been pretty solid (seven conceded), they have scored just four goals in those nine games. They haven't scored away from home in seven and a half hours since that Derby win and they have slipped to 9th place and are now six points off the pace for a play off place.

It was no surprise that last week they signed Kyle Lafferty on loan from Norwich until the end of the season to provide some competition for their misfiring strikers Clayton Donaldson and Jon Toral.  However, Lafferty suffered a groin injury in Northern Ireland's win over Slovenia and there is now considerable doubt about whether he will be able to play for Birmingham at all.

Charlton supporters are bound to give a warm reception to former favourite Michael Morrison who was allowed to join Birmingham (apparently for no fee) last season. The Birmingham Mail this week quoted manager Gary Rowett on Morrison:

"I've never liked to say someone has been my best signing but what can I say? He's been a brilliant signing."

The Mail went on to list the four main reasons why Birmingham are so grateful to Charlton for their generosity. Michael Morrison:

  • Has improved the back four
  • Scores goals
  • Has become a leader
  • Puts his body on the line

Charlton are lucky to be spoiled for choice with Naby Sarr, Roger Johnson and Harry Lennon available to partner Jorge Texeira this weekend.

Amazingly, in this car crash of a season, Charlton still have the chance to record a double against both Birmingham and QPR. Our 1-0 win at St Andrews under Karel Freye on a freezing November day proved to be yet another false dawn but it was very enjoyable while it lasted. The sight of debutant Ademola Lookman combining with Tareiq Holmes-Dennis to set up Johnnie Jackson for his fiftieth Charlton goal with a bullet header was a joy to behold.

This Saturday a 0-0 draw is the likely outcome but it would be of little use for either team.