Charlton 0 Birmingham City 0: Colin Tattum's big match verdict

Apr 13 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

THERE could well be a division separating these sides by May, but it was much too close to call on Saturday at the Valley. Disappointingly so for Blues.

Charlton, bottom and with an air around the club that reeked of acceptance of their relegation fate, didn’t so much play above themselves as Blues under-performed.

It wasn’t until the last half-an-hour that Blues got going. They certainly didn’t hit the heights and style of the Wolves derby.

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But then that has been Blues this season – they have turned in too many poor performances when better could and should have been forthcoming.

Against the lesser lights it has been a problem.

They are not the only ones guilty of such, of course, but it seems like that to the followers who look no further outside than within.

The point edged Blues back into the automatic promotion places, retrieving second place from Sheffield United who defeated Reading on Good Friday.

That point – the lead that Blues have over the Blades – could be significant, just as the lack of a further two from the match in south London could be.

For all the questions about selection and tactics, the bottom line was that Blues lurched along for the most part and didn’t bring their A-game, individually or collectively.

“We went toe to toe with a team challenging for promotion and at times made them look ordinary,” was Charlton manager Phil Parkinson’s blunt assessment.

“If we had that team out there earlier in the season we’d be nowhere near the bottom.”

Garry O’Connor was ruled out due to a virus and Alex McLeish opted for 4-5-1 which, given the personnel, was not a defensive move.

Yet what worked so well for Blues at Doncaster Rovers – Blues’ last away game – didn’t here.

For a start, they didn’t have an early goal to build on and Cameron Jerome, Sebastian Larsson and Lee Bowyer, to name but three, weren’t quite with it and firing as they have been.

Blues lacked a creative edge, didn’t threaten and the tempo was hustle and bustle, not sharp and sure.