Battle Won, War Ongoing

Birmingham City recorded a huge win last night as they battled to a 2-1 away score line against Wolverhampton Wanderers. A scrappy game saw Blues of old with a lot of aggression and will to win. Many of the headlines will rightly go to man of the match David Davis who lead the team with the most sterling of examples.

Zola held talks this week with just about every player in the squad. Was this the catalyst for that reaction? I am sure he would say it was. Blues looked in it for the long haul and made it difficult for Wolves throughout the game. When you’re in the thick of it I am a big fan of turning up the aggression and it certainly made the team more solid.

Let’s be honest and say Kieftenbeld’s opener had a slice of luck about it when the Wolves keeper lost Gardner’s cross and gifted the ball straight to Blues for 1-0. Davis’ finish for 2-0 was well taken when the ball found its way to him in the box just before half time. Nice celebration by the way, the fans loved that.

I haven’t seen the red card incident back but my initial thoughts were that it was harsh. Sky claimed a little punch was thrown but it was unclear to me if that was the case. Either way, it’s a Derby game and things get heated, every single ball was contested and these things can happen.

Wolves laid down a barrage of attacks following the red card and Blues brought on Bielik in place of Gardner. The young lad did very well in such an important game. Blues were to hold on despite a Dicko goal and Wolves going very close several times.

Wolves will feel hard done by and point to recent poor form as an indication that something is very wrong within the setup. They are now facing up to the possibility of a relegation fight in the closing stages of the season.

Blues have picked up a hard earned but fortunate win on the road after a terrible run of results themselves. If we grow from this result and begin to play with more grit and determination then this could be a turning point under Zola. However, we should put this result into perspective before making that claim. Wolves are tracking down the table and beating a side in their position should have very limited weight when analysing our own further prospects. I still believe Blues have more to do under Zola before I’m convinced.

What are your thoughts, are Blues on the up or is this a stay of misery just for now?