Sat 29th Nov - Molineux
By Laura Slatcher Last updated: 30th August 2008
McLeish: Tough game
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish was left to reflect on a glaring late miss from in-form striker Kevin Phillips as his side recorded a 1-1 draw at Norwich.
With minutes left, Phillips was presented with a clear chance to settle the game after being put clean through by Gary McSheffrey.
But the veteran striker failed to get the ball past keeper David Marshall and Blues had to settle for a point.
McSheffrey had also missed from close range moments earlier in a dramatic conclusion to a match dominated by Norwich and McLeish acknowledged it would have been tough on the hosts had the late chances been taken.
"It was a tough game for us," admitted McLeish. "Norwich were on top in the first half and when we scored it was certainly against the run of play, overall the second half was much better for us.
"The game opened up and we managed to get our foot on the ball and obviously we had those late chances.
"Overall a draw is probably a fair result but it's still disappointing not to have taken one of the two gilt-edged chances which came our way."
Of the miss by Phillips he added: "I would have put my home on it and duly lost it.
"Kevin is a terrific finisher with great experience and was exactly the sort of man you would want in that situation.
"Having said that you have got to give a lot of credit to the keeper for getting down his throat so quickly and making a good save.
Phillips played under Norwich manager Glenn Roeder at Watford and Roeder insisted it would have been undeserved if Birmingham had taken all three points.
"Personal feelings don't come into it," said Roeder. "I put the kiss of death on Kevin when he got in that position!
"It would have been ridiculous, disgusting, if Birmingham had won the game then.
"We got a standing ovation from our fans at half time, even though we were 1-0 down, and that said everything about our first-half performance.
"At times we were absolutely exhilarating. We have improved so much from last year, we've got better players and play better football and it won't be long before we get the win we so richly deserve."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 6th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Watford |
| Tuesday 9th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Plymouth vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 13th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:20 | Preston vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 20th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 12:45 | Birmingham vs Reading |
| Friday 26th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Ipswich vs Birmingham |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Swansea |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Blackpool vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Cardiff |
| Tuesday 27th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Derby |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Birmingham |
| Tuesday 3rd February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Crystal Palace vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Burnley |
| Saturday 14th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Nottm Forest |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Coventry vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Southampton |
| Tuesday 10th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Barnsley vs Birmingham |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 29th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Tuesday 25th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 2 - 1 Ipswich | |
| Friday 21st November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Swansea 2 - 3 Birmingham | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 3 - 2 Charlton | |
| Saturday 8th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Nottm Forest 1 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Monday 3rd November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 0 - 1 Coventry | |
| Tuesday 28th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| QPR 1 - 0 Birmingham | |
| Saturday 25th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 3 - 1 Sheff Wed | |
| Tuesday 21st October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 1 - 0 Crystal Palace | |
| Saturday 18th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Burnley 1 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Saturday 4th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 1 - 0 QPR | |
| Tuesday 30th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 1 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Saturday 27th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Cardiff 1 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Saturday 20th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 0 - 1 Blackpool | |
| Tuesday 16th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Bristol City 1 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Saturday 13th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 1 - 0 Doncaster | |
| Saturday 30th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Norwich 1 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Tuesday 26th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Southampton 2 - 0 Birmingham | |
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 2 - 0 Barnsley | |
| Saturday 16th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 20 | 47 |
| 2 | Birmingham City | 20 | 41 |
| 3 | Reading | 20 | 37 |
| 4 | Burnley | 20 | 33 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 20 | 32 |
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish admits he is facing a 'dilemma' about extending Nicky Hunt's loan.
Keith Fahey is eager to repay Alex McLeish after turning down the chance to go on trial at other clubs.
Birmingham defender Martin Taylor has denied the Championship is a two-horse race.
Birmingham have agreed a deal to sign Irish midfielder Keith Fahey in January from St Pat's.
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's late goal earned Wolves a 1-1 draw with Birmingham in their top-of-the-table clash at Molineux.