Red Cards Have Cost Us

With slightly more gusto to the problem than Steve Bruce has managed so far, Eric Black is adamant that the stupid behaviour has cost us points.

While Bruce talks about indiscipline ‘creeping in’ and that ‘it will be addressed’, Eric Black has spoken the truth on the matter and that is that the players behaviour has casued Birmingham to drop too many points this season.

Enough points in fact that would see us sitting clear at the top of the league.

Speaking to the official site Black pointed out that Damien Johnson’s sending off was Blues’ fourth so far this season and that the points total dropped could easily be 5.

‘Our sending offs have potentially cost us five points now and they must be eradicated.

‘If we’d had 11 men for the whole 90 minutes against Leeds I think we would have won the game, so that’s three points we’ve lost.

‘And there have been times when we should have won games instead of drawn them.

‘If players are sent off for a mistimed tackle so be it, but we’ve been picking up stupid red cards for off the ball challenges.

‘I appreciate what it’s like out there when you feel there’s been an injustice against you and you are absolutely hyped up and wanting to win and the adrenaline is buzzing.

‘But it’s now happened three or four times and we can’t allow it to continue.

‘If players are not running about and jumping into tackles then some people say they’re not motivated and don’t want to play for the jersey.

‘Some people don’t realise how hyped up you are when you’re out there and how the red mist can descend on you, but there’s a very fine line.’