Steve Cotterill bemoans flat Blues performance



Posted Sunday, February 18, 2018 by PA

Steve Cotterill bemoans flat Blues performance

Steve Cotterill has warned Birmingham fans they are in for a “topsy-turvy” end to the season after their survival hopes were dealt another blow following a 1-0 defeat at home to Millwall.

The Blues boss admitted it was a disappointing result as he watched his side slide to their third successive defeat following some recent improved form.

Birmingham’s hopes of salvaging anything out of the game disappeared when Millwall chalked up their third successive away win as a result of substitute Fred Onyedinma’s first league goal of the season in the 77th minute.

The game had been heading for a low-key goalless draw when the persistence of Onyedinma earned the youngster his vital goal just 11 minutes after replacing Ben Marshall.

“We couldn’t get any tempo going in the game,” said Cotterill. “This surprised me as I’ve not previously seen such a lack of tempo.

“We didn’t play with enough zip or enthusiasm and this is what disappointed me. We didn’t play badly but we didn’t perform anywhere near the level we have previously achieved. We looked flat and the ground was quiet with no atmosphere.”

Cotterill added: “We need to go on another good run but it has never been plain-sailing. Unfortunately it is going to be topsy-turvy for the rest of the season.

“It’s not nice to accept that but we’ve been down at the bottom since day one. It is a difficult job but one I’ve got to do.”

Millwall manager Neil Harris was full of praise for Onyedinma’s performance, saying: “He is up and down with his performances because he is young. But when he comes off the bench with 20 or 25 minutes to go that is the kind of impact I demand as a manager.

“He changed the outcome of the game when he came on to be honest. Birmingham were trying to build momentum but we took the game from them.

“Fred is young with a lot of ability and he is going to be in and out of the team. He understands this situation. But he is a real handful for any team.”

Harris added: “I was a little critical of our first-half performance. The second half was much better with a really good goal and we could have had two of three more.

“Defensively we were strong as a unit and we obtained the goal that mattered. I’m really pleased with a clean sheet.

“It’s three wins in a row on the road, which isn’t bad for a team which couldn’t win away from home at the start of the season.”

Tag:


Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.