Birmingham City talking points after the FA Cup exit to Leeds United on penalties
Birmingham City midfielder Jhon Solis
Birmingham City midfielder Jhon Solis
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Birmingham City pushed Leeds United all the way in Sunday’s FA Cup tie before coming unstuck on penalties.
A brilliant strike from Patrick Roberts, with a little bit of help from James Justin’s head, cancelled out Lukas Nmecha’s opener for Leeds and ensured we got 120 minutes of pulsating football at St Andrew’s – plus a penalty shoot-out.
Jay Stansfield and Marvin Ducksch scored to keep pace with Leeds initially before Tommy Doyle and Patrick Roberts failed to find the net. Sean Longstaff struck the decisive penalty to hand Leeds their 4-2 victory on penalties.
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Progress on display
It was just over a year ago that Blues battled against a Premier League side in the fourth round of the FA Cup before being blown away in the final half-an-hour when top-level pace, fitness and quality showed.
Blues’ narrow exit to Leeds highlighted their progression since that game against Newcastle United.
Their new-look squad matched and, in many ways, bettered Leeds for 120 minutes. Christoph Klarer and Jay Stansfield were the only two survivors from the starting XI versus Newcastle, highlighting the transformation that Chris Davies has overseen in the last two transfer windows.
They now have players who can play up to Premier League level and Blues were a Kanya Fujimoto stoppage time finish away from a victory.
Blues’ midfield proves it can cope without Paik
Two of the stars of Blues’ show were Jhon Solis and Tommy Doyle. Colombian enforcer Solis is already adored by Blues fans and Doyle has proved that he can play with him.
There were question marks after the draw with West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday when Solis and Doyle seemed keen to occupy and play in the same spaces, but they were in sync and effective against Leeds.
It was perhaps a nod to Solis and Doyle’s dominance in midfield that Daniel Farke reached for his captain Ethan Ampadu at half-time. Facundo Buonanotte was replaced in a change that was clearly designed to give Leeds an extra man and a foothold in midfield.
Blues could be without Paik Seung-ho for a while, depending on the results of his meeting with a specialist this week, so all eyes were on Solis and Doyle.
On this evidence, Solis and Doyle are more than good enough to help Blues realise their ambition of a top-six finish in the Championship.
Leeds United's Ao Tanaka (left) and Birmingham City's Tommy Doyle
Leeds United's Ao Tanaka (left) and Birmingham City's Tommy Doyle (Image: PA)
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Allsop creates a question mark for Davies
The goalkeeper position has been a hot topic for discussion throughout this season. Brighton loanee James Beadle has been Davies’ number one since early October but, such was Allsop’s brilliant distribution versus Leeds, it does beg the question as to whether it could be worth changing.
Beadle has a higher save percentage than Allsop and has kept three clean sheets in his last five matches.
Having said that, he doesn’t ooze the same confidence that Allsop does in possession and with Beadle in goal Blues lose an attacking weapon. No other goalkeeper in the Championship is so creative in possession.
The question is whether Allsop’s ability on the ball gives him the edge over a goalkeeper that statistically is better with his hands.
Panzo shows that he’s a useful option
You don’t expect much of a last-minute January signing who is acquired to provide defensive cover, but Jonathan Panzo showed against Leeds that he is capable of filling in if necessary in Blues’ remaining 14 games.
Panzo’s left foot brought natural balance to the back-line and even when Davies withdrew Bright Osayi-Samuel to create a higgeldy-piggeldy defence as Blues chased the game, the 25-year-old was comfortable.
He was good on the ball, progressive with his passes, and strong enough in the duels with Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Our first viewing of Panzo suggests he is another decent piece of business by Blues from a January transfer window which has given their season some hope and impetus.