Albion's hearts broken (From The Argus)
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Albion's hearts broken
5:01pm Saturday 19th January 2013 in Sport By Howard Griggs
David Lopez celebrates after scoring with a super strike in the first half (photos Simon Dack)
A mistake by Tomasz Kuszczak in the second minute of added time meant Albion had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Birmingham.
The Seagulls came from behind to lead 2-1 but with the clock running down Kuszczak fumbled substitute Nikola Zigic’s tame header over the line, The home side went in front in the 18th minute when skipper Steven Caldwell slipped his marker to head home Robert Hall’ corner from the right.
Within six minutes Albion were level with a move started and finished by Ashley Barnes for his second goal in as many matches. Barnes collected a return pass from Andrea Orlandi before drilling home from 20 yards.
This signalled a good spell for the visitors although they were grateful for a fine one-handed save from Kuszczak to deny Chris Burke’s goalbound strike on 40 minutes.
Three minutes later Albion took the lead when David met Wayne Bridge’s cross with a fierce volley which was too hot for home keeper Jack Butland as it rippled the net.
Birmingham were booed off at half-time and manager Lee Clark responded by introducing the 6ft 7in Zigic at the expense of wide midfielder Wade Elliott.
Zigic provided more of a presence but Albion twice went close to extending their lead through Orlandi, firstly a deflected shot over the bar and then an on-target free-kick which Butland punched away for a corner.
Vicente was introduced for his first appearance for Albion since August with seven minutes remaining.
Zigic looked set to equalise with five minutes remaining but Gordon Greer made a superb block to deny him.
The goal did come in the 92nd minute when Zigic’s header was fumbled over the line by Kuszczak.
Albion: Kuszczak; Calderon, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge; Bridcutt, Hammond, Orlandi (sub Dicker 76); David (sub Buckley 70), Mackail-Smith (sub Vicente 83), Barnes. Subs not used: Hoskins, LuaLua, Dunk, Ankergren.
Birmingham: Butland; Caddis, Davies, Caldwell, Robinson; Burke, Gomis, Reilly (sub Morrison 83), Elliott (sub Zigic 46); Redmond (sub King 70), Hall. Subs not used: Hancox, Mullins, Lovenkrands, Doyle.
Referee: Phil Dowd.
Comments(40)
russellsnr2
says...
5:06pm Sat 19 Jan 13
We pick up a point
Bad point, listening on the player just had that feeling that the goal was coming, how many times have we thrown it away in the last minutes?
fan since 61
says...
5:06pm Sat 19 Jan 13
PressBoxTeaBoy
says...
5:07pm Sat 19 Jan 13
If opposing teams are smart they'll stick someone up front who has aerial power because frankly, we have none.
Very frustrating !
Ringmer Rich
says...
5:11pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Feel sorry for Kucszak, but that's football. Hey ho, now for Blackburn. Come on Albion!!
The Phantom
says...
5:11pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Bucket feet Duffy
says...
5:11pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Alan G Skinner
says...
5:13pm Sat 19 Jan 13
not the daily express
says...
5:15pm Sat 19 Jan 13
bruce beckett
says...
5:19pm Sat 19 Jan 13
I could scream. In fact, I did.
Alfie T
says...
5:19pm Sat 19 Jan 13
not the daily express wrote:Where were you when he was scoreless for thirteen matches then?
Same old negative stuff from the usual rsuspects,great performance by our superstars, where are the Barnes knockers now? UTA
Claude Back
says...
5:22pm Sat 19 Jan 13
not the daily express wrote:I didn't know Barnes had knockers.
Same old negative stuff from the usual rsuspects,great performance by our superstars, where are the Barnes knockers now? UTA
When did he have that done?
Far gull
says...
5:23pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Now a 5 point gap to play off place!! never have believed game in hand buisness best to have points on the board. we have to be more attacking from the bench when in front at hm and away .This is a gus prob to sort not player issue.
fratsomrover
says...
5:25pm Sat 19 Jan 13
JoeBlow
says...
5:25pm Sat 19 Jan 13
tonytowner1
says...
5:26pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Same with Derby last week but it went our way in the end - first time this season beating a top half team?
Interesting to see The Sun pretty much saying Jeremy Balmy is coming to The Amex
Key today of course would have been to really dictate - really play with confidence - Gus doesn't seem to get this through to them - that they are considerably better players and as a team than the likes of Birmingham
Hammond seems to play better away from home currently
GREAT to have Vicente come back on - though not solo up front - we need him creating in midfield. It sounded as if Lopez and especially Orlandi were class again
2 more winnable away league matches coming up - we need to take advantage!!
Adkins with us by the end of the week I predict then - LOL!!
dave from bexill
says...
5:31pm Sat 19 Jan 13
not the daily express wrote:What do you mean by "same old negative stuff from the usual suspects"
Same old negative stuff from the usual rsuspects,great performance by our superstars, where are the Barnes knockers now? UTA
Alfie T
says...
5:35pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Claude Back wrote:Like it Claude...
not the daily express wrote:I didn't know Barnes had knockers.
Same old negative stuff from the usual rsuspects,great performance by our superstars, where are the Barnes knockers now? UTA
When did he have that done?
Far gull
says...
5:39pm Sat 19 Jan 13
fratsomrover wrote:Very frustrating . Why does gus not go at any team when we are leading ? Hope ulloa not just used as replacement forward ? gus has done a great job for us and i hate being critical of him but our season has not all as he trys to paint down to bad luck ! use of the bench has been dreadful !!
Promising weekend ruined by throwing away another 2 points. That's 5 points dropped to Birmingham, one of the worst teams in the league. Our inability to put games away is incredible. Once you take the lead you should push on and consolidate. We cant hold on to a two goal lead let alone a one goal league. All the exciting, match winning players are kept on the bench. Why be so negative when you know only a win will do. Lets take a leaf out of Watford's book and show believe in that the more goals you score the more likely you are to win. When will Gus learn ?
Neville
says...
5:39pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Hovite
says...
5:47pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Kuz, messed up (all is forgiven) and that was it, these things happen. That was the difference in the end.
dave from bexill
says...
5:54pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Gee Jay
says...
5:55pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Even our most experienced and skillful players seem to give the ball away in these last minutes. REGGUB! (Use a mirror)
Not only that, but for the second week running, I was cruising to take some cash off of William Hill.....and then!
duncan 74
says...
6:28pm Sat 19 Jan 13
not the daily express
says...
6:47pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Alfie T wrote:Watching from the West Stand. I have supported B&HA since 1957/58, how about you? There have always been mindless morons criticising decent players, I can give you a list if you like...
not the daily express wrote: Same old negative stuff from the usual rsuspects,great performance by our superstars, where are the Barnes knockers now? UTAWhere were you when he was scoreless for thirteen matches then?
WisdomSpeaks
says...
7:06pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Lopez and Orlandi were causing Birmingham constant problems so they get taken off for a more defensive approach. Suddenly Birmingham started to give us problems and we were then on the back foot.
We should have been out of sight when the keeper made his mistake.
When oh when is Hoskins going to get on. CMS was right out of touch again.
It is frustrating when we see where we could have been with more of an attacking mindset. Let's hope Blackburn get the backlash from us on Tuesday.
SMF20
says...
7:12pm Sat 19 Jan 13
After reading others comments I can see both sides of the fence. Can we argue with Gp's selection when up until the 90th minute we were winning? Well, yes and no. No because we should have won but Yes because we could arguably have gone for the jugular and put this team to the sword way before the 90th minute with a more adventurous line up. If I was Lee Clark, I personally would have looked at out bench and thought, thanks heavens that lot are sat there and not on the pitch.
It's each to their own though and as stated I can see both sides of the argument.
My preference would be a more attacking mindset and confidence in us to get a decent win with the talent we have but obviously this is not Gp's way of thinking and at the end of the day it is he that carries the can.
Uta
Falmer Wizard
says...
7:18pm Sat 19 Jan 13
A point away is fair enough providing we keep winning at home,this will maintain our attendances and provide us with a top half of the table finish.
LACHANCE
says...
7:19pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Alfie T
says...
8:12pm Sat 19 Jan 13
not the daily express wrote:Wasn't even born then, but still supported the club for over 30 years, I don't knock Barnes or any other player, just don't rate him. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so now he's scored two goals he's back in the Messi class ?
Alfie T wrote:Watching from the West Stand. I have supported B&HA since 1957/58, how about you? There have always been mindless morons criticising decent players, I can give you a list if you like...
not the daily express wrote: Same old negative stuff from the usual rsuspects,great performance by our superstars, where are the Barnes knockers now? UTAWhere were you when he was scoreless for thirteen matches then?
Vince
says...
8:49pm Sat 19 Jan 13
It has already been shown in the past that Will Hoskins is better than anyone else at keeping possession. I remember the game against Newcastle last year, when Hoskins brilliantly kept possession in the last 5 minutes. He was doing the same against Bolton when Hammond stupidly gave the ball away, and allowed them to break away and score at the death.
What has Hoskins done wrong in recent matches to not even merit 10 minutes on the field???
Gus's fault NOT Kuszak's in my opinion. Gus is far too cautious. Fortune favours the brave.
saraman
says...
8:32am Sun 20 Jan 13
SMF20 wrote:It may be Gus who carries the can but it's us the fans that carry the disappointment. Another 2 points down the drain. The chance of a play-off place is receding fast.
Frustrating day again today. As many have said though... This is football and mistakes do happen. Feel sorry for Kuz who has been excellent this season, he will get past this though, I'm sure. After reading others comments I can see both sides of the fence. Can we argue with Gp's selection when up until the 90th minute we were winning? Well, yes and no. No because we should have won but Yes because we could arguably have gone for the jugular and put this team to the sword way before the 90th minute with a more adventurous line up. If I was Lee Clark, I personally would have looked at out bench and thought, thanks heavens that lot are sat there and not on the pitch. It's each to their own though and as stated I can see both sides of the argument. My preference would be a more attacking mindset and confidence in us to get a decent win with the talent we have but obviously this is not Gp's way of thinking and at the end of the day it is he that carries the can. Uta
lmspike
says...
9:03am Sun 20 Jan 13
not the daily express wrote:I'm here, !! 2 goals in 2 games does not make him a footballer or any better than he was 3 games ago. You still need to look at the amount he misses. His poor poor misses have cost us a lot more points than any keeper error ever will even if we had Nicky Rust back between the sticks. He is RUBBISH
Same old negative stuff from the usual rsuspects,great performance by our superstars, where are the Barnes knockers now? UTA
saraman
says...
9:16am Sun 20 Jan 13
lmspike wrote:What's his misses got to do wirh it? She wasn't playing.
not the daily express wrote: Same old negative stuff from the usual rsuspects,great performance by our superstars, where are the Barnes knockers now? UTAI'm here, !! 2 goals in 2 games does not make him a footballer or any better than he was 3 games ago. You still need to look at the amount he misses. His poor poor misses have cost us a lot more points than any keeper error ever will even if we had Nicky Rust back between the sticks. He is RUBBISH
Eddy B
says...
9:50am Sun 20 Jan 13
SMF20
says...
10:29am Sun 20 Jan 13
saraman wrote:Sadly, yes
SMF20 wrote:It may be Gus who carries the can but it's us the fans that carry the disappointment. Another 2 points down the drain. The chance of a play-off place is receding fast.
Frustrating day again today. As many have said though... This is football and mistakes do happen. Feel sorry for Kuz who has been excellent this season, he will get past this though, I'm sure. After reading others comments I can see both sides of the fence. Can we argue with Gp's selection when up until the 90th minute we were winning? Well, yes and no. No because we should have won but Yes because we could arguably have gone for the jugular and put this team to the sword way before the 90th minute with a more adventurous line up. If I was Lee Clark, I personally would have looked at out bench and thought, thanks heavens that lot are sat there and not on the pitch. It's each to their own though and as stated I can see both sides of the argument. My preference would be a more attacking mindset and confidence in us to get a decent win with the talent we have but obviously this is not Gp's way of thinking and at the end of the day it is he that carries the can. Uta
Hovite
says...
11:29am Sun 20 Jan 13
For all those 1200 fans who went, what a great show of support, couldn't hear the Brummies on the radio, it was all Albion. Great job.
Anyone who wants to carry disappointment around with them, that's a personal problem not a footballing one.
Claude Back
says...
11:31am Sun 20 Jan 13
saraman wrote:Perhaps that's where he got the knockers?
lmspike wrote:What's his misses got to do wirh it? She wasn't playing.
not the daily express wrote: Same old negative stuff from the usual rsuspects,great performance by our superstars, where are the Barnes knockers now? UTAI'm here, !! 2 goals in 2 games does not make him a footballer or any better than he was 3 games ago. You still need to look at the amount he misses. His poor poor misses have cost us a lot more points than any keeper error ever will even if we had Nicky Rust back between the sticks. He is RUBBISH
Beethoven
says...
2:37pm Sun 20 Jan 13
As for Mr K? I am not convinced by him . He is a reflex keeper who can dive and punch clear but his handling and distribution, do not inspire confidence.
However , it is behind us now, on to Blackburn...Weather permitting?
Tony the tiger eastbourne
says...
4:49pm Sun 20 Jan 13
fansince57 says...
5:05pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Keeper mistakes are part of football. Kuz has been brilliant for us so can't be too harsh on him.