First team

5 key positives against Birmingham

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Birmingham City travelled to Elland Road yesterday, to face Leeds for the second time of the season, following a 1-1 draw at home.

The game started positively for Birmingham, with Donaldson winning a penalty in the opening minutes. Caddis converted.

It took a late equaliser from Luke Murphy to grab a point from the game, despite numerous chances for the home side and a couple of penalty shouts themselves. It finished 1-1.

Here are my 5 key positives from the game, with fan thoughts at the end.

Chances Created

We have been missing that attacking threat in recent weeks, and to be honest I was doubting the likelihood of us scoring yesterday. It was just the complete opposite. Chance after chance was being created and on another day we could’ve strolled to a 5-1 victory, unfortunately that didn’t happen though.

It is promising to see, however, with see chances being created from all areas. Byram on the wing has been a breath of fresh air, he’s getting back to his old self, and it’s great to witness. Although it was only a point, it has ended the losing streak at home and it was a point against an inform Birmingham side. Hopefully we grow and a win will not be far away.

Luke Murphy

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We may have actually found a role for Luke Murphy to play. He sounded a step ahead of his best yesterday, warranting praise from many at the game and from the commentators themselves. I heard ‘Murphy with the tackle’ numerous times, something I haven’t heard for a long time. He made pass after pass, and found himself in goal-scoring positions. He provided energy that we haven’t seen from him in a long time.

He may start to grow into the player we expected when he signed for £1 million, and I am glad. For all the stick and jokes he has taken from us, he deserves things to go his way. Another goal in the dying minutes yesterday (and a good finish at that) has restored some faith in him.

Steve Morison

Never did I think I’d see the day where both Morison and Murphy Steve+Morison+Leeds+United+v+Peterborough+MwQLkWPO4oqlplayed well. Despite missing some game winning chances, it sounds like on the whole Morison did well. He didn’t sound lazy and finally we have someone up top that can win a header or two. He linked up well with those around him, creating opportunities for others, giving us another option to just short passes on the ground.

It also sounds like he formed a good partnership with Sharp when he came on. It finally sounds like we may have found a place in which Billy fits into the side, as long as we can hold onto him. I think we may see the two of them feature more frequently in the coming games, hopefully they can put some chances away.

The Defence

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The whole defence were stable yesterday, including Silvestri. He was much more commanding in his box and sounded as if he had found a little bit of the confidence he had towards the start of the season. The rest of the defence were solid.

Bellusci and Cooper made few mistakes and both fullbacks had good games, especially Taylor, who has had the expectations of thousands thrust upon him following the departure of Warnock. Wootton also sounded stable. With Byram finding his feet further forward, it could be Berardi and Wootton fighting for a place at rightback.

Fighting Spirit

I don’t know what it was, but yesterday felt like the first game in a while where we actually sounded like we wanted the three points. Too often this season we have gone a goal down, the heads have dropped and we go on to get slaughtered.

Yesterday was different. We showed the fighting spirit we need if we are going to survive in this league. Experience, leadership and passion is what we need right now, thank god some are starting to provide to for us.

It was a very promising sign. We need that spirit in every single game and we might actually get somewhere.

Fan Thoughts

As usual, I took to twitter to ask what others positives from the game were. These are some of the responses I received:

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  • paul says:

    I like these pieces, look forward to them now pointing out positives amongst all the negative people on twitter.
    I watched from a freezing South stand & although we got caught cold at the back a few times we were very good going forward & it’s only a matter of time before we really tear a few teams apart. Morison should be match fit now, Murphy improving constantly, Byram just needs confidence in box, Sharp looked very lively, Cooper will learn from that mistake, only slight negative was Rudi shooting yet again oh and Cook not in his best position to affect the game as much. I’d try Cook for Austin & Mowatt wide left but just an observation on a very pleasing day. Made the journey home much more bearable all 200 miles of it.
    I’ve personally championed Morison & mentioned many times Sharp & him should get a run of games so after taking much stick I feel slightly justified although I had lost belief in Murphy if I’m honest. All in all really positive day MOT

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