The going’s still tough for Zola so Blues must keep going
GIANFRANCO Zola admits Birmingham City still have work to do, despite clawing their way against Cardiff City last week- back end.
Lukas Jutkiewicz’s last-minute equaliser gave Blues a 1-1 draw and a point which takes their total to 44 – six above the bottom three.
As relieved as he was that Birmingham were able to drag themselves back after falling behind to Joe Ralls’ penalty, Zola is mindful of the fact promotion favourites Newcastle are due at St Andrew’s this weekend.
And he knows Blues will have to be at their best to take anything off a side smarting from their own setback.
While Blues were nicking a draw in South Wales, Rafael Benitez’s men were beaten 3-1 at home by Fulham.
“We haven’t done anything yet,” Zola said when asked if the game at Cardiff will ease the pressure.
“There is a lot to play (for), there are still tough games coming up, so we need to make sure we get another result on Saturday.
“Last Saturday was very encouraging because obviously – after the poor performance (against Wigan) – there was the risk that maybe the team could have had a bad reaction.
“But I didn’t see that, I was very pleased with that. We need to just make sure that for now we do perform very well next Saturday because it is going to be another very tough match.”
The Italian felt the display at the Cardiff City Stadium was in keeping with many of Blues’ previous performances. Some good, some not so.
“I think the team, to be honest, has done very good things in games – what we haven’t managed to do so far is to do it consistently,’’ he said. “Even at Cardiff there were moments when we played good football.
“We just need to make sure we can do that every game in order to get the momentum going on our side. That is what this team has been lacking. We need to keep positive. On Saturday, in difficult circumstances, it was a good performance and we just need to continue.”
Blues have already faced Newcastle three times this season – once under Gary Rowett when they were routed 4-0 at St James’ Park.
They then played well in the thirdround FA Cup tie at St Andrew’s and were unlucky to have to settle for a 1-1 draw. Zola made changes for the replay and Blues exited the competition after a 3-1 defeat.
RICHARD Beale praised Clayton Donaldson after another goalscoring display for the Under-23s and says the Blues striker is nearing readiness for a first-team return.
Donaldson continued his comeback from an Achilles injury in Monday night’s 2-2 draw with Bristol City Under-23s.
The Jamaica international put Beale’s team ahead with a powerful left-footed strike that lit up a very promising 45-minute cameo.
That followed his penalty against Leeds last Wednesday and last Friday Gianfranco Zola suggested Donaldson could be set for a recall against Newcastle on Saturday.
Development coach Beale reckons Donaldson is showing signs of being ready after three months out.
“He’s getting there in his readiness for first-team football,” he said.
“The only opinion that counts on that is the manager’s but it’ll do him no harm to have played 45 minutes and to have scored a wonderful goal with his weaker foot.
“He certainly doesn’t look rusty, he looks like he has done really, really well in his rehab, which I know he has done, and he’s getting closer to that stage, I am sure.”
There was an anxious few minutes midway through the first half when Donaldson looked to have kicked the sole of an opponent’s boot and he stayed down for treatment.
Beale said: “He’s been out so long, can he ride those tackles, get up and get on with it? That’s what he did. He is a good pro, tough, solid, mentally strong and really led the line well in that first half. He is looking really sharp, which is good.” The Birmingham Post newspaper is published by BPM Media (Midlands): Floor 6, Fort Dunlop, Birmingham B24 9FF, a subsidiary company of Trinity Mirror PLC: One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP. Printed at The Fort, Wood Lane, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9PW. Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper.