Two Points Dropped as Blues Rue Missed Chances

Blues 1 Fulham 1

For the second consecutive game, Gary Rowett opted for the tight midfield three. For the second game in a row, it didn’t work. And for the second game in a row, he changed it. After the dour first half at the Molineux last Sunday, why did Rowett persist with that system? It didn’t work then and it didn’t work today.

Although Fulham are not as bad as their league position suggests, this was a case of two points dropped. The first half was a no-show from Blues once again. After Rohan Ince’s shot squirmed under Tomasz Kuszczak to give the Cottagers a deserved 38th minute lead, you sensed it was going to be one of those days.

Surprisingly, Rowett didn’t change anything at the interval. But just like last week, he didn’t wait long into the second half before his first throw of the dice. Jacques Maghoma replaced Maikel Kieftenbeld.

Three minutes after the change, Blues were level after Michael Morrison thundered home a David Cotterill corner. From then on, Blues were in the ascendancy and created a hatful of chances. First, Paul Caddis saw his curled effort saved before Clayton Donaldson was once again guilty of missing a sitter. David Davis’ shot cannoned back off the post and fell to Donaldson who couldn’t turn it in from close range.

James Vaughan and Will Buckley were both introduced from the bench as Rowett reverted to 4-4-2.

At the tail end of the game which had six minutes stoppage time, Blues were throwing everything at the visitors but didn’t have that bit of quality to force a winner.

We go into the international break six points behind the play-offs with a game in hand. With Charlton up next, it would be refreshing to see Rowett throw caution to the wind and give Vaughan, who was lively today, a start up top with Donaldson.

Today wasn’t to be. But you can’t help feeling that the set-up in the second half would have suited Blues better from the off. Rowett isn’t daft, he’ll know it hasn’t worked. We hope.

Twitter @robwildey123

BLUES: Kuszczak, Caddis, Morrison, Spector, Grounds, Kieftenbeld, Davis, Gleeson, Cotterill, Toral, Donaldson. SUBS USED: Maghoma, Vaughan, Buckley.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Caddis