Fighting for Survival

Steve Bruce is entitled to be upbeat about Birmingham City’s chances of beating the drop after a week which saw a battling draw against Chelsea, a landmark victory over Sam Allardyce’s Bolton Wanderers and a point at the JJB Stadium against Paul Jewell’s Wigan Athletic.

In some respects, however, the last of three was also the least impressive. A performance undoubtedly full of endeavour and spirit, but for the most part lacking in Premiership quality. A game, in other words, of industrious mediocrity.

After an energetic opening, in which they were awarded a free kick and two corners, Birmingham might easily have raced into an early lead, but gradually they allowed Wigan into the contest and shortly after the interval a clever Bullard free kick was headed on for Johansson to put the home side ahead. It took Birmingham almost 30 minutes to find the equaliser, when a cross from Emile Heskey was run in by the impressive David Dunn, a substitute for Izzet.

That cross was Heskey’s best contribution in a game when he too often looked ponderous and despondent – a front man who has seen better days and was, for the most part, apparently going through the motions. And if the thought offends Birmingham fans, they should compare Emile’s performance with Wigan’s powerful, pacy Jason Roberts, who was a constant danger.

They might also compare Jermaine Pennant, who has so much potential but too often flatters only to deceive, with Jimmy Bullard – surely one of the most underrated and unaffected talents in the Premiership and a man who, unlike Pennant on many occasions, invariably delivers.

The form and fitness of Dunn and the ability of players like Heskey and Pennant to provide an end product will be crucial to Birmingham’s fight to maintain their top flight status.