Why words came back to haunt Birmingham City at Derby County as Leigh Curtis brings you the talking points from the 1-0 victory at Pride Park
Birmingham City’s Christoph Klarer (left) and Derby County’s Patrick Agyemang battle for the ball (Image: PA)
Rhian Brewster’s deft first-half header boosted Derby County’s play-off hopes and in the process damaged Birmingham City’s hopes of a top six finish as they secured a 1-0 win over Blues at Pride Park,
Brewster struck when he climbed highest to meet a Derry Murkin cross that bounced past James Beadle and into the bottom corner.
It was the least Derby deserved for a dominant performance in which Blues failed to register a shot on target in what was a pitiful display from the big-spending Championship side.
Derby almost took an early lead when Joe Ward pinched possession to stop a Birmingham counter-attack and immediately fed the ball to the waiting Rhian Brewster.
The former Liverpool striker took a touch before unleashing a terrific effort that whistled inches past the upright.
Birmingham were struggling to fashion any rhythm with Derby snapping into tackles in half which saw Eustace’s side have 70 per cent of the possession.
Patrick Agyemang then tried his luck at the near post but saw his effort deflected over the bar before James Beadle denied his clever lob after he had beaten the Blues defence for pace.
The breakthrough finally came when Derry Murkin got forward down the left-side and dinked a super cross into a dangerous area where Brewster headed into the corner.
And it was nearly 2-0 when Agyemang was a toe-end away from reaching a Szmodics cross. The chances kept coming after the break as Szmodics was inches away from finding the bottom corner after a smart turn before Joe Ward also crashed a shot that was wide of the upright.
Bobby Clark then tried his luck from distance which Beadle claimed with a low save as the Rams claimed all three points.
A comfortable win
On the surface, a 1-0 victory would suggest this was a hard-fought win, but the truth was it was anything but. Derby were utterly dominant from start to finish, with the only complaint being that the result did not match their superiority.
It was undeniably their most complete performance of the season at Pride Park, where they were just too strong and too smart for a Birmingham side whose play-off hopes were effectively shattered in the process.
Chris Davies had said this was a big game for his team in respect of their own ambitions this season, but they suffered the ignominy of being booed off by their own fans at full-time.
While a tired away end chanted “sideways and backwards everywhere we go” in frustration at their tactics, Derby played forward with both pace and purpose.
Not one player dipped below 7/10, which, from a coaching perspective, is verging on utopia. Once Brewster had given them the lead, you never ever felt Derby were in danger of relinquishing it.
Indeed, such was the lack of goal threat from Birmingham, goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell could have cracked open a vintage red, puffed on a big cigar and assessed the latest in the stock market.
Birmingham did not register one shot on target, which underlined Derby’s dominance as they continue to hang onto the coattails of those teams in the top six.
It’s now four wins on the bounce at home, yet this is being achieved with a considerable injury list. They deserve a huge amount of credit.
A sweet victory for Eustace
John Eustace is a criminally under-rated manager and one shabbily treated by Blues who sacked him when they were sixth in the Championship. Wayne Rooney came in and was a complete disaster, got sacked himself, and Birmingham were relegated to League One.
Their explanation for axing Eustace was that they wanted a “no fear” playing style, but those words were served back with considerable interest.
Eustace praised Derby for their “no fear” football, and that phrase instantly pricked the ears of journalists and fans on social media. If he meant it, good on him. It was a ludicrous decision for the Blues to get rid of him at the time, and it still is now.
For whatever reason, Eustace has been branded a “pragmatic” manager, but that’s mightily unfair. The 5-0 win at Bristol City showed us what this team is capable of, and only wayward finishing stopped Derby from picking up points at Hull and Millwall.
They’ve only failed to score in four league games this season, which is an impressive feat, and have spent less than Birmingham in the transfer market.
Sometimes you don’t appreciate what you’ve got until it’s gone. And judging by the fury in the away end at full-time, you can bet your bottom dollar that some Blues fans would have him back in a heartbeat.
Eustace was not the only one who enjoyed a sweet afternoon against his former club. Dion Sanderson, discarded by Birmingham last summer, had an excellent game at centre-back.
He had to endure some boos, but certainly had the last laugh when, on the back of a clean sheet, he led a rendition of the bounce for the first time this season while angry Birmingham fans, miffed at their own side’s performance, were still in the stands.
Championship experience tells
Eustace has, over recent weeks, made strong points about why signing players with Championship experience is vitally important and that much is proven by the statistics.
According to Transfrmarkt, they are sixth in the table for the average number of appearances of players with experience in the second tier.
In fact, four of the top six in that table are all currently chasing promotion. Coventry City are top, Middlesbrough and Ipswich are also nestled in there with Derby.
It’s a clear indication that when it comes to transfers, you have to have a stable base of players who have played in the division before.
Derby have managed to do that while also adding exciting talent from abroad. For Bobby Clark, there is Lewis Travis. For Patrick Agyemang, there is a Carlton Morris. For Sondre Langas, there is Matt Clarke.
It’s proven to be a good blend for Derby, whose recruitment has been methodical and with reason.
When is Pat going to catch a break?
Another game and another afternoon when Patrick Agyemang continues to get a raw deal from referees. When he’s manhandled, the officials let it slide. As soon as he gives it back, it’s a free-kick.
Somebody needs to make it, make sense. What is he supposed to do? Just let centre-backs come and win the ball? Hit the deck as soon as he feels some contact?
It has been a sustained pattern this season, but so far Derby’s protests to the PGMOL seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
There was one moment in the second half when Christoph Klarer clearly had hold of his shirt, yet this somehow completely goes unnoticed.
Agyemang has done well to keep his frustrations in check throughout the season, but he did earn a yellow card for protesting a decision that went against him.
The fans are noticing it, the players are noticing it, so too the manager, but why aren’t the officials? Answers on a postcard, please.
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