SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 12 hrs 35 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
BL
Championship | Gameweek 37
Mar 17, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
St. Andrew's Stadium
RL

Birmingham
2 - 1
Reading

Jutkiewicz (4'), Dean (72')
Colin (22'), Gardner (28')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Meite (35')

Lee Bowyer confident over Birmingham City's survival hopes

:Headline: Lee Bowyer confident over Birmingham City's survival hopes:
Lee Bowyer's reign got off to a winning start.
Sports Mole

Lee Bowyer is convinced Birmingham will stay in the Sky Bet Championship after getting his reign off to a winning start with a 2-1 home victory against Reading.

Goals from Lukas Jutkiewicz and captain Harlee Dean secured the Blues only their fourth win in 20 Sky Bet Championship games.

Yakou Meite had equalised for promotion-chasing Reading but Dean's winner moved his side six points clear of the relegation zone – although third-bottom Rotherham have four games in hand.

Former Birmingham midfielder Bowyer left his job as Charlton manager earlier in the week before replacing Aitor Karanka as Blues boss on Tuesday – and he is optimistic about his new side's survival hopes.

"If I didn't think we've got enough to stay up, I wouldn't be here," Bowyer said.

"Everyone keeps looking at what are now our next three games – Watford, Brentford and Swansea – and the run-in, but we've also got another six after that.

"There are no easy games. The first four games are tough but Derby and Rotherham will be tough too.

"I believe we will (stay up) – if we work like that and put in performances like that in every game, we've got a very good chance."

Bowyer named a more attacking line-up than his predecessor and admitted the game plan was to be positive.

"You have to get after teams like Reading because if you don't, they're going to hurt you," he said.

"We tried to set traps and they were won a lot of the time. The odd time they got through it, we had that press and it worked tactically."

Birmingham took a fourth-minute lead when Jeremie Bela crossed from the left and Jutkiewicz connected with a towering header for his 50th goal for the club.

Meite headed in the the equaliser in the 35th minute after Michael Olise's corner had been allowed to sail across goal.

But Dean made it 2-1 in the 71st minute, rising above Alfa Semedo to net with a powerful 10-yard header after Reading failed to clear Alen Halilovic's corner.

The Royals remain in the top six but manager Veljko Paunovic has warned his side they can not afford to perform like they did at St Andrew's if they are to secure a play-off place.

He said: "This is the first time I've seen this side of this team and I don't want to repeat it ever again.

"I feel a big pain over the way we lost this game. We were our biggest enemy with the mistakes.

"We conceded very easy goals – everyone is fighting for their lives at this stage of the season.

"We have to learn to kill these games, and apply it. There's no time any more.

"This is not the Reading of the past – we're not allowed to be complacent and be happy that we're 'x' points clear in the play-off positions.

"We don't want people like that here. Our hunger has to improve and we have to nourish this opportunity.

"I believe 100 per cent I have the best players in the league."

body check tags ::

amp_article__439635 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-17 23:13:13:
html db last update - 2021-03-17 23:10:18 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Lee Bowyer

Click here for more stories about Birmingham City

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Lee Bowyer Football
Recommended Next on SM
Wednesday's Championship predictions including Nottingham Forest vs. Norwich
Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man City injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal - De Bruyne, Stones and more

1

MC

Man City quoted £86m for "exceptional" Newcastle man?

2

MC

Friday's League Two predictions including Wrexham vs. Mansfield

NEW

3

FL

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

4

A'

Mainoo, Rashford, Palmer handed boost in Euro 2024 hopes?

5

MR

Preview: Bournemouth vs. Everton - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PB

Pochettino calls for "calm" over Sterling situation at Chelsea

7

PC

Preview: Brentford vs. Man Utd - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PB

Preview: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PB

How Chelsea could line up against Burnley

10

HC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .