Bowyer rues shoddy Brum pitch
THE pitch was to blame for a dull draw against Hull City, according to Birmingham City head coach Lee Bowyer.
Hull forced Birmingham keeper Neil Etheridge into two vital saves from Keane Lewis-Potter and Jacob Greaves, while Tom Eaves missed a sitter.
Birmingham’s only threats were lobs from Juninho Bacuna and Tahith Chong at either end of the second half, but both were comfortably held by Matt Ingram.
Bowyer said: “From what I understand the pitch isn’t too good – it’s really bobbly, but that’s no excuse.
“The pitch was really lively – it’s firm. We couldn’t even do just simple passes.
“It wasn’t very pretty. It was two groups of honest lads working hard, but the quality wasn’t there for both teams.
“It was disappointing because we had some good players on the pitch. But we had too many that had an off day on the same day. That’s life.”
Hull looked the more dangerous team for the first half an hour and could have been ahead after 20 seconds.
Lewis-Potter got in behind Birmingham’s defence down the left to be presented with a one-on-one with Etheridge. But the forward took an extra touch and his angled shot was blocked by the keeper.
Hull threatened again when Lewis-Potter teed up Greg Docherty 20 yards out, but the midfielder’s low drive was deflected inches wide
The visitors briefly appealed for a penalty when Eaves – making his 100th appearance for the Tigers – went down in a tussle with Marc Roberts, but referee Michael
Salisbury waved play on. Birmingham took a while to come into the game as an attacking force. When they did, captain Gary Gardner looped a header over the bar.
Blues went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 39th minute. Gardner flicked on Jordan Graham’s corner and Lyle Taylor diverted the ball goalwards only for Ingram to flip the ball away.
Blues attempted to take a spectacular lead within 20 seconds of the restart, but Bacuna’s long-range lob was held by Ingram.
But Hull were again not ruthless enough in front of goal as another chance went begging. Eaves opted to take a touch in front of goal rather than shoot from close range.
The visitors remained on top and Blues had Etheridge to thank after the keeper darted off his line to deny clean-through Jacob Greaves.
Defences were on top and in the end Hull will be disappointed they didn’t come away with three points, given they had the better chances.
Hull coach Shota Arveladze said: “I haven’t heard much about it. Maybe it was a good sign that the players they haven’t talked much about it.
“Of course at this level the pitches must be very good, but the weather doesn’t help – it’s cold. But at the end of March it will be a bit better.
“We’ve tried to change our style a little bit. It’s about having the ball a bit longer, being calm and not just reacting.”