Derby stalemate

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 v Birmingham City 0

I am sorry that Lee Clark has gone. I know, it’s a sentiment that will not endear me to folk in and around Small Heath. But his departure means that no longer will I be able to listen to his wonderful Geordie accent an antidote, if ever there were one, to the lazy Brummy lilt. Perhaps it was the hard vowels that finally did it for him; that and the small matter of an 8-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.

Into Clark’s shoes has stepped Gary Rowett, one time Birmingham defensive stalwart and - until last week - Burton Albion manager. Five days (if it were actually that long) may be a long time in politics but it doesn’t offer much time in which to prepare for the cut and thrust of a local derby against high flying Wolverhampton Wanderers. But all credit to the boy. Not only did he raise spirits, following that record defeat, but he also made his team difficult to beat. Indeed during a first half in which the home side were lacklustre at best, Birmingham looked the more threatening.

Which wasn’t really the way that things started out, Wolves the more lively during the opening exchanges and, in minute seven, creating the first opening when Leon Clarke went close with a header. Thereafter the home side lost their way, almost robotically passing the ball around in their own half before losing patience and lumping it aimlessly up-field and over the head of striker Liam McAlinden. And when they weren’t lumping it forward they were getting caught in possession Lee Evans and Kevin McDonald both guilty of gifting the ball to the opposition who on two occasions fashioned strikes on the Wolves goal. With nobody filling the hole between attack and midfield, Wolves looked disjointed and it was a relief when referee Anthony Taylor called time on the first half proceedings.

The Wolves side emerged unchanged from the half time break but it would remain so for only ten minutes when Manager Jackett rang the changes. Off came Michael Jacobs for the width of Bakary Sako and on came David Edwards for the peripheral McAlinden. The change worked, Edwards immediately offering a link between midfield and attack whilst at the same time providing a goal threat. On 65 minutes he went close with a header following a good right wing cross from James Henry and then five minutes later his delightful chip struck the bar. Wolves were getting up a head of steam and would create two further opportunities. The first came in the 71st minute when Sako’s shot come cross evaded everyone and then, with four minutes remaining, the same player lashed at a volley, skying it over an empty net.

That would mark an end to affairs the 12.15pm kick off ensuring that, for a short time at least, Wolves would find themselves atop the league. Would that the table could be preserved in aspic until May. As for Birmingham, if Rowett can retain a similar degree of discipline and endeavour, then they should move to safety.

Wolves: Ikeme 7, Doherty 7, Ebanks Landell 6, Batth 6, Rowe 6, Henry 6, McDonald 6, Evans 6, Jacobs 6 Sub Sako, Clarke 6 Sub Sagbo, McAlinden 5 Sub Edwards

Birmingham: Randolf 6, Caddis 7, Morrision 7, Robinson 7, Grounds 7, Gleeson 6, Davis 6, Cotterill 6, Shinnie 6 Sub Reilly, Arthur 6 Sub Shea, Donaldson 6 Sub Thomas

Attendance: 25,135

Referee: Anthony Taylor 6