Tom Wagner, Jaykae and a Tomoki Iwata belter warn the Premier League Birmingham City are back
Birmingham City are a third tier team in league standing alone. Tonight, as they battled Saudi-backed Newcastle United, they proved they are a club that belongs in the Premier League.
It won’t come next season, it might not come the season after next but one day, Knighthead’s rejuvenated club will return to football’s top table and the product will be all the better for it.
The nation’s casual observers might have forgotten what a raw-bond, white-knuckle venue St Andrew’s can be but this raucous FA Cup fourth round tie was a reminder. Packed to the rafters and baying for blood, under the lights in a game that really matters, there really isn’t anywhere else like it. This was evocative of the Steve Bruce Premiership years.
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A convivial, mutually appreciative build-up was transformed into an evening of confrontation and no backing down. Even as the result slipped away 'We're Birmingham City, we fight to the end' poured down.
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has always been respectful but he hasn’t been slavish in his praise for Blues’ opposition this season – and why would he be? His team is operating on a different level to every other League One outfit.
However, for Blues the build-up to this game started almost as soon as Jay Stansfield hit the back of Stevenage’s net, while Newcastle’s focus shifted 24 hours later and after booking a Carabao Cup final after beating Arsenal. Luckily for the Toon Army they’ve come to the right place for advice about winning the League Cup.
In the hours and days after Davies has been full of admiration for Newcastle and his counter-part Eddie Howe. “I’ve come across Eddie when I’ve been assistant manager of teams and I think he’s a top coach,” said Davies. “I think he should have been the first pick to be the next England manager. As an individual, I think the way he conducts and carries himself is excellent as well.
“From my point of view, I always look at the individual and the work they’re doing, but the way they behave as well. He’s a great example, there are some that aren’t like that, but he is. He’s an inspiration.”
Howe was similarly complimentary about Blues and even talked up the importance of the FA Cup even though it’s clearly the least relevant of his priorities. The niceties ended there.
Hours before kick-off Digbeth was packed with Bluenoses talking up their chances of causing an upset. The stadium and its environs were thronged with blue-clad supporters, self belief and optimism burgeoned. A conviction that Blues could win their highest profile game since the Europa League campaign, or maybe even Wembley, grew.
Owner Tom Wagner stoked the fires – and probably bought the beers – in the fan park, then attention turned inside the ground as the lights dimmed, a temporary stage was assembled to a soundtrack of Mr Blue Sky and Guns ‘n’ Roses’ Welcome to the Jungle, it might as well have been Welcome to the Bearpit.
No matter, it was soon drowned out by ‘We’re Birmingham, we’re Birmingham…’. Phone torches sparkled and the old place was transformed into a bastion of defiance as Small Heath rapper Jaykae took to the pitch and stirred the pot even more with a targeted ‘Who are ya’?’ at the away fans in the Gil Merrick.
Keep Right On followed, before strains of UB40’s Forever True boomed out and the, for once fitting, flame throwers welcomed the players on to the pitch.
Moments before kick-off, with the referee’s whistle his lips ad Davies still bellowing, last-second instructions to his players, Eddie Howe appeared at his shoulder for a handshake. Inspiration or not there was something of the ‘Not now Eddie, I’m working’ to his reaction.
Forty-three seconds later, with the slow rendition of the club anthem still hanging in the chill, Kieran Dowell picked out Keshi Anderson beyond the back post. His header found Ethan Laird whose volley prompted an eruption. Davies pumped his fists. No more. The Tilton pointed out ‘No noise from the Geordie Boys.”
Then 25 minutes later, Newcastle’s fans arrived, invited into the occasion by two goals that will have given Davies palpitations. Scrappy, sloppy, shoddy defensive cerebral flatulence his team simply don’t commit most weeks.
It was time for ‘Que Sera’ and ‘You’re not signing any more’ and ‘Osula’ to the tune of the Juninho Bacuna song and – of course – Blaydon Races.
Blues were behind but didn’t take a backward step. When William Osula tried to throw his weight at Stansfield, Anderson, Ben Davies and Christoph Klarer were on the spot to back up their man.
And then, something truly breathtaking, an absolute thunder-blaster from Tomoki Iwata. A drive that would now be somewhere near Neptune had the goal-net not intervened. St Andrew’s re-erupted and Iwata’s smile was so broad it looked like his face might split.
Davies, normally an Olympic standard celebrator, applauded politely. That was made up for by the fact even the posh seats in front of the pressbox were giving it ‘all gone quiet over there’.
Even at half time the front-footed, up-and-a-’em approach didn’t relent with Eye of the Tiger being pumped out.
Unfortunately, the second half was much more staccato, constant interruptions for fouls, injuries and substitutions sucked the rhythm out of the match, if not the fervour from the stands. As a game it waited for the next moment of brilliance, or decisive error. Not that Klarer or Davies waited a millisecond to stick one on Willock and Osula.
Then, with eight minutes remaining the energy came from the visitors, Joe Willock pouncing on the rebound to Sean Longstaff's blocked shot to fire through Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Newcastle bellowed joyously, St Andrew's responded with another Keep Right On and bitterly retorted 'Sing when you're winning'.
The Premier League outfit did indeed go on to win the game of football, but Birmingham City Football Club won the occasion. Chris Davies will probably get his day at Wembley, his team will probably get their league title but one thing's for certain, Blues and St Andrew's will be back on everyone's lips.
