“Don’t worry about a thing…” blared around the John Smith’s Stadium 10 minutes before kick-off. Whoever chooses the music at Huddersfield Town clearly didn’t get the relegation six-pointer memo.
The 2,336 Birmingham City fans in attendance were worried. Their Huddersfield counterparts were even more anxious if not already resigned to relegation.
An even first half ended with Koji Miyoshi giving Blues the lead following a moment of quality from Keshi Anderson. Elation on the pitch, relief in the away end.
However, as has been the case all season, this Blues side give with one hand and take away with the other. The pain relief lasted approximately 20 minutes and the teams were in the dressing rooms for 15.
READ: Gary Rowett responds to ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’ fury at Blues players
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Blues were pegged back in the 47th minute. Jack Rudoni found space in behind Lee Buchanan to pick out the unmarked Rhys Healey in the centre. The message to keep things tight at the beginning of the second half fell on deaf ears.
Huddersfield were unfortunate not to take the lead in a dominant 20-minute spell after drawing level. Gary Rowett tried to change things by introducing Siriki Dembele, Marc Roberts, Alex Pritchard and Lukas Jutkiewicz.
After a Jay Stansfield effort that flashed wide of Lee Nicholls’ post, Blues didn’t threaten Huddersfield’s goal. The lack of urgency Blues have played with in these must-win matches against Cardiff City, Rotherham and Huddersfield has been the most disheartening thing. Surely playing with urgency when you are in this position is a guarantee.
It was no surprise to see the away end turn on the players at the final whistle. Those who approached the away end were sent packing: “You’re not fit to wear the shirt.”
Jay Stansfield seemed to take it personally, but he can rest assured those chants were not directed at him. Jutkiewicz is also exempt after he made himself available when others wouldn't have bothered.
Stansfield and Jutkiewicz might not be here next year, whatever league Blues are in, but those who reacted angrily in the away end will hope the vast majority of this squad aren’t either. The connection between those on the pitch and the terraces that was restored last season has disappeared during this disastrous campaign.
And yet we are relying on the same players to perform against Norwich City next weekend to keep Blues in the Championship. If these players want a place in Blues’ future, they need to fight for it.
