Tait urges Birmingham City to rekindle the spirit of 1995

May 1 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

Try as they might, they couldn’t score and were held to a goalless draw in front of nearly 25,000.

Steve Claridge had a ball cleared off the line in the final minute when presented with what was virtually an open goal and then, after snaking through again, the referee waved away a strong penalty claim after Paul Jewell felled him.

The sense of disappointment that Blues had blown it was massive, just as it was last Saturday after the defeat by Preston North End.

Barry Fry’s Blues had to go to third-placed Huddersfield Town on the final day, just two points ahead of Brentford, who were away at Bristol Rovers.

Blues held their nerve and prevailed, with Tait scoring what proved to be the decisive goal in the 85th minute in a 2-1 victory to clinch the Second Division title.

“Although it was a lot different back then, we weren’t going for the Premier League and there wasn’t so much money flying around and so much at stake, so much pressure, it was big at the time,” recalled Tait, a Blues cult hero.

“It’s amazing that the same sort of thing has happened again to Blues but, then again, I suppose it’s typical because for years and years they’ve always put their fans through the mill.

“Coming off after that Bradford game, everyone was gutted. We absolutely battered them, the ground was packed but you could sense the tension in the stands and that came through on the pitch.

“Last week against Preston, Blues had a great opportunity and blew it, and they must have felt like we did.

“But they still have a chance – although it’s harder than ever now – and they have to pick themselves up and treat Reading like a cup final, a one-off. It’s a game where you can’t hide, there’s no place to go.

“To be honest, after a couple of days all those years ago, we were fine and there was no doubt in my mind that we weren’t going to win at Huddersfield.

“We had a decent team, we had been good all season, there was a great camaraderie and we all got on well. We had a lot of confidence about us and at the time we were a club on the up, trying to get back on the map under Baz.

“Sunday’s not going to be easy for Blues at all but I’m sure, as professionals, they will have picked themselves up OK and do what we did by remembering what they’re good at and capable of, and go into it positively.

“I know Blues have been so inconsistent this season, but they were on a good run before Preston and they’ve got enough characters in that squad, and experience, to be able to handle the occasion and get the result.

“Reading’s home form of late has been poor and it’s really all about what Blues do and who holds their nerve. There’s everything to play for and Preston’s gone now.”