Mark Venus and Liam Rosenior both thought that George Hall’s actions were positive for Birmingham City.
Birmingham City battled to a 1-1 draw with Hull City yesterday night to increase their chances of avoiding relegation, and Lukas Jutkiewicz was their savior. For the second time this season, the 34-year-old striker thundered home a header at the MKM Stadium. More than likely, this header from Jutkiewicz will be remembered more than the one he scored in the FA Cup back in January.
The Blues moved up to 19th position as a result, giving them a one-point advantage over the bottom three. Even if the difference is tiny, a number of teams are now involved in the championship relegation battle.
After the Owls’ 1-0 victory over the Pilgrims on Tuesday, there are just two points separating 16th-placed Plymouth and 23rd-placed Sheffield on Wednesday. The title matches, you say? These are the talking points we’ve selected for what may be a crucial road game for the Blues.
It appears as though the Blues will wheel Jutkiewicz out to keep them from going down to the lower leagues indefinitely. In his eight years with the Blues, he has experienced more than his fair share of relegation battles, making him the man for the job.
Jutkiewicz may not make it out of this fight in Royal Blue, and that goal may have been his last. Although his time at St. Andrew’s is running out, he will always be recognized for keeping the Blues afloat during one of the most trying times in the team’s history.
Tom Wagner deserves some of the credit for his investment in the Blues last summer, as Jutkiewicz acknowledged. If you stick around this season, Knighthead’s investment ought to lead to better things in the future. Jutkiewicz’s contribution to that will remain part of his legacy.
It is unable to self-correct.
We should discuss Hull’s objective. Ozan Tufan used his hand to send the ball into the Blues’ net. It was a handball match. “I don’t believe Ozan did it intentionally,” Hull manager Liam Rosenior stated. It is difficult to concur with him on that point.
Mark Venus, the interim Blues manager, remarked, “Is it handball? To me, it appears to be a handball. I realize the officials are going through a tough moment, but even though I can’t see where they are positioned, I get the impression that the odds are slightly against us. Hopefully things work out and we have a few respites.
Regretfully, it never quite balances out. Referee Keith Stroud had the option to show Ivan Sunjic a second yellow card for a foul in the second half only to maintain balance. However, that doesn’t compensate for a goal being awarded.
Maximizing a negative circumstance
Last night, the Blues used a ninth different central defensive pairing. For the most part, Emanuel Aiwu and Lee Buchanan provided a valuable supplementary combination to thwart a highly skilled Hull attack. Full-backs Cody Drameh and Ethan Laird, who tended to tuck in to defend Aiwu and Buchanan rather than move forward, provided them with good support.
Krystian Bielik (injury) and Dion Sanderson (suspension) have already been ruled out of this weekend’s game at Millwall. Marc Roberts’ aerial strength is sorely required, but his availability is uncertain because of a calf injury.
Venus is not that certain, but she is hopeful. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t know whether he will make it for the weekend,” he remarked. The unconventional back four that the Blues used against Hull will have to once again make the most of a difficult circumstance if he isn’t fit.
George Hall revealed:
It was exciting to watch George Hall accelerate to full speed soon after he turned on. Throughout a spirited 30-minute cameo, he repeatedly outran Hull’s defense.Hall may have been nervous to put on the afterburners after suffering four hamstring strains in ten months, but he will be happier for it now. The Blues are better off with him on hand.
During their two months in charge, Venus and Tony Mowbray have talked highly of Hall’s potential, and there appears to be enthusiasm surrounding him once more. Now, the 19-year-old is in need of some good fortune.