Bowyer forced to issue stark transfer warning
LEE Bowyer has voiced fears that Blues could suffer more heavy defeats, such as the one Blackburn inflicted, if they are not strengthened in the January transfer window.
Blues were beaten 4-0 at Ewood Park on Saturday, which left them in 17th place, and while they are not in immediate danger of being sucked towards the bottom three, the fact they are set to lose Riley McGree on January 1 means concern is starting to grow.
Bowyer has reiterated his call for investment next month.
“I think it’s obvious to see. We do need help, it’s plain and simple,” said the head coach.
“Hopefully we get it because, if we don’t, there’s going to be more days like Blackburn. We will still win games, draw games, but that type of thing will pop up every now and again and it’s not good to watch, not good at all. But hopefully not too often.”
When Blues lose McGree, after he joins up with his parent club Charlotte in two games’ time, they will be left without a recognised No.10. Tahith Chong remains sidelined and will be out until well into the New Year.
Bowyer says he has to trim his squad in order to finance reinforcements. Harlee Dean has been told he can leave the club. The defender has 18 months left on his deal.
However, before the window opens Blues face the unenviable task of travelling to promotion hopefuls Fulham on Boxing Day – a team who beat them 4-1 at St Andrew’s earlier this season.
Meanwhile, the written reasons behind the rejection of Ryan Woods’ red card appeal have been released.
The midfielder was sent off late in the 0-0 draw at Coventry on November 23.
Much to the annoyance of
Bowyer, he was immediately hit with a three-game ban and Blues felt compelled to try to get that overturned.
They claimed referee Leigh Doughty had made an error viewing the challenge on Ian Maatsen as ‘serious foul play’ and that it should have instead been a yellow card for ‘unsporting behaviour’.
However, a Football Association commission rejected those claims and detailed both Blues’ argument and the panel’s reasoning.
It said: “The club believed the challenge was neither endangering the safety of the opponent nor displaying excessive force or brutality.
“The club claimed there was minimal contact and concluded by saying they thought it was not a malicious act, but merely mistimed; the point of contact was also not high, full or forceful.
“The commission considered a number of key elements; the speed and intensity of the challenge, the part of the body that was used in making the challenge, the point of contact, the chances of being able to play the ball in a fair manner, the risk to the opponent’s safety and the position of the match officials on the field of play.
“The commission believed the footage demonstrated that Ryan Woods had no consideration whatsoever in attempting to play the ball but only to stop the attacker in full flight.
“The challenge was made with high intensity and by lunging at his opponent with a straight leg, using his studs to make contact from behind.
“In doing so both feet came off the ground as the challenge was made, which undoubtedly put his opponent at risk of serious injury.”
Woods was banned for the games with Blackpool, Millwall and Cardiff but returned to the squad at Blackburn, where he was an unused sub.