Three deserved and dogged points for Birmingham City

It wasn`t pretty, but it wasn`t bad either. The important factor was to get back to basics and get three points on the board. Ipswich aren`t always the easiest side to pit your wits against but Blues took control last night and got the vital job done.

In this crazy league, having had their 2-0 lead cut in half, Blues dropped a place in the table on goal difference. And the jitters set in as Ipswich put the ball over the line for a second time late on only to have it rightly chalked off for a foul.

Part of getting back to basics entails David Davis playing in the wide right position. His performances are always gritty and enthusiastic but last night had a sprinkling of quality to add to the frame. But the star performer was unarguably Ryan Shotton. Up against a tricky customer in Luke Varney, Shotton stood solid and won the battle with aplomb.

Freddie Sears offered a bit more of a threat with his pace and trickery when he was unleashed from the bench. But Blues were fairly comfortable with their lead and deservedly claimed the points.

Clayton Donaldson may not be the player he once was, age is largely dictating his performances, but he still gives his all and was doing well until being stretchered off. His partnership with Lukas Jutkiewicz actually looked quite promising last night. But you can`t rule out Che Adams playing a big part – he was impressive when he came on, full of pace and endeavor, never stops running. The silver lining of Donaldson`s injury could be the fact that Adams will get a bigger slice of the action.