Birmingham 1 Walsall 1 (3-4 pens) - George Bennett and Nathan Judah analysis
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00:00Hello, I'm Nathan Judo, I'm here with Warsaw Report, it is Mr George Bennett.
00:03George, what a night, I mean you come here to Birmingham City, lofty expectations,
00:07almost certain to go up from League One, a win on penalties and actually fully deserved on the night.
00:13Absolutely, I mean we were just talking there about some of the defensive performances,
00:20it was a great performance from the team as a whole to protect the defence in general
00:26from the opportunities that could have potentially come their way and Taylor Allen was very good,
00:32David Akaube with the ball into the channel for the goal but also defensively very good
00:36and Harry Williams, I mean it seemed like every single ball that was going in the box
00:41he was getting his head to and also a special bit of praise for Sam Hornby,
00:46the hero in the shootout but also some really important saves, there was a fingertip save
00:51from the shot from the edge of the box literally just before Birmingham's equaliser
00:57but also a near post save from Alfie May later in the game so a really promising performance from him
01:05shows that Warsaw have got reliable cover between sticks.
01:08Yes and look, plenty of injuries for Warsaw, eight changes tonight but they matched Birmingham City
01:15toe for toe throughout really until Birmingham City equalised and then the last 15 minutes was a bit of a barrage,
01:21they stood firm but at the same time they really knocked it about well,
01:25high press, forced Birmingham City to plenty of mistakes, got these Warsaw fans by the way,
01:301,000 plus on a Tuesday night is absolutely insane and that's how they should set themselves,
01:34that's incredible but they believe in this team, they believe in the squad
01:38and that's going to give this team and these fans so much confidence going into the weekend.
01:43Yes, it's not just this game tonight, to come from behind and beat Huddersfield last week
01:50to then eliminate Exeter early in the EFL Cup, three league onesides they've faced now
01:57and they're yet to taste defeat, that can only breed confidence when it comes to translating that into the league.
02:02Stansfield in May, I was just speaking to Charlie Lakin just then,
02:07Stansfield has been highlighted throughout the week of his big money signing, breaking the league one record,
02:14then you've got Alfie May who's been one of the leading marksmen in the division now in the third tier for many seasons
02:21so for the defence and the rest of the team to tame that threat and keep them quiet,
02:27an incredible performance and Matt Sadler and his players deserve huge credit for that.
02:31It was an incredible finish from Lakin, first time, beautiful but at the same time,
02:35Conor Barrett, the way that he was in that moment, providing the assist, the movement,
02:41but also just throughout the game, it's the first time I've seen him in action this season and just superb.
02:46Two assists on Saturday, a cushioned header across Gahal and then with the second to set it up for Jamil Mata,
02:56the near post with the flick, so a player that came from the normal league,
03:00so a great record in terms of 11 assists last season but can he translate that into the EFL?
03:05It seems that he's adapted really well and it looks like an upgrade on Tom Knowles really,
03:12three assists now this season and like you said, I remember when Lakin scored,
03:17so it's a great ball from David Ikagure but there's still a lot to do for him there and he chops inside,
03:25literally puts Clara on his backside and then it's a calm composed cutback for Lakin to convert from close range,
03:35so in terms of his attacking quality, he's proven that with the free assist but defensively as well.
03:42Some of the challenges, especially in that first half, there's a couple of sliding challenges where
03:47Birmingham looked like they could have broke away down that flank and he was there,
03:50a really interesting starting sign.
03:55Like I said, when they equalised, they did pepper the goal last 15 minutes,
03:59they stood firm, people who didn't see this game tonight will look at the statistics,
04:03will look at the stat padding in the last 10-15 minutes and think Birmingham dominated the game,
04:08that wasn't the case, they deserved to take it to penalties and when they did,
04:12there's nothing better for a keeper is there than saving a couple,
04:15especially someone like Alfie May who's going to be one of the players in the division this year,
04:19but that will give him so much confidence as well going forward.
04:22Exactly that and Tommy Simpkin will be on international duty with England's under-20s or elite men's squad this weekend,
04:33so another opportunity from there.
04:35Yeah, absolutely, to go to MK Don's and really show what he's made of.
04:38We said about the important saves there towards the end and then obviously in the shootout to emerge as a hero
04:44and I was just speaking to a few of the guys just then about the fact that Walsall had three penalties in normal time,
04:50missed all of them, but then they've emerged successful in two shootouts,
04:55so it's quite the contradiction, but optimism is building and that was a great moment there.
05:02For the travelling fans as well, it was such a shame to concede so late,
05:10it felt like it was probably coming towards the end there, but it was such a shame six minutes from time,
05:15they were so close to that victory, so to come away then with the extra point
05:20and doing it in front of the supporters at this end was a really nice moment.
05:24I know they made changes tonight and this isn't the priority of course, League Two is the priority,
05:28but at the same time if they can get out of this mini-division I guess with Shrewsbury and Fulham under-21s,
05:34if they can get out of that and progress, you never know do you?
05:39It's very early to talk about Wembley.
05:44No, let's talk about it, we're talking about it.
05:47Let's be honest, how many opportunities do players have, especially at this level, to play at Wembley?
05:54So you would think that the further you get in the competition, the more you get that taste for it,
05:59I think it's too early to be talking about Wembley, but the later it gets into this competition,
06:04if you can get past that group stage then it becomes interesting and obviously the interest increases,
06:10but just going back to the away supporters, some of these games can be,
06:15we've spoken about the fact that the EFL trophy can sometimes be played at a testimonial pace
06:21and it didn't feel like that, I think supporters played a huge role in kind of roaring them forward
06:26and creating that competitive edge that we saw tonight.
06:28I think Matt Sadler will say in the dressing room as well, when they're winning, when things are going well,
06:32whether they're playing their very best eleven or they're making eight changes,
06:36sometimes you want to be in that moment where you're winning and it's contagious isn't it?
06:43And I think tonight as well, even though these guys haven't played a lot of games together,
06:47they're showing what they can do and against someone as good as Birmingham City,
06:50it will help going into Saturday and also gives Matt Sadler some options as well,
06:53people who will be pushing for starts, if people are out of form on a Saturday,
06:57or you're regulars and they're not pushing, well then these guys will be in, some of them.
07:00Yeah, I think the quality and depth is something that has been quite clear.
07:04They've missed it haven't they over the years really?
07:06You feel there's a little bit more this season?
07:08I think there was depth last season, I mean we were just talking about Walsall's new look defence around February time
07:15when Adam Biega and Akag Bue and Taylor Allen were playing together,
07:19so there was depth but it just feels like in almost every position at the moment,
07:23I mean Evan Weir coming in again today was fantastic against Huddersfield,
07:28last week Harry Williams, a player that came in for Oshin McKenzie on Saturday,
07:33performed really well and he's produced another fantastic performance tonight.
07:36So when you've got players that are coming in who maybe aren't first choice,
07:40but putting in performances like that, it gives Matt Sadler decisions to make,
07:43but it also means that within the structure that they've got,
07:46he can rely on players regardless of who they are to produce the goods
07:51and work in a structured and organised manner for the team.
07:55In terms of injuries, there is an ever-growing list, especially after the weekend,
08:00what did Matt Sadler say, any good news, any bad news? Mediocre? Indifferent?
08:05In terms of Adoma, the shoulder issue, it was probably more of a precaution,
08:09so we're just going to see how he goes and I'll ask for another update on Thursday.
08:15Oh yes you will be.
08:17Obviously Danny Johnson was back on the bench, so they're going to be trying to find him minutes.
08:21Cautious with him a little bit.
08:23Yeah, another one that they're going to be cautious on.
08:26Liam Gordon came off with a knee injury and knock that he had from a strong challenge,
08:32so it was kind of one of those updates where, again, it's not quite certain exactly what they are,
08:40but in terms of the issues that they were, so it was a knee injury for Liam Gordon,
08:46a calf problem for Oshin McKenzie, and Josh Gordon has been struggling with a hamstring issue.
08:53He pulled up with a hamstring issue after scoring his first goal against Swindon.
08:57He came back in against Trammier and then featured for the final 30 minutes against Huddersfield,
09:03started against Cheltenham but only lasted 15 minutes,
09:06so that's an issue that, again, they're going to be monitoring.
09:11He feels that Oshin McKenzie's one is probably the worst out of the three,
09:14but again it's one of those that probably by Thursday there may be a little bit more information on that.
09:19However, Priestley-Fox is a long-term one.
09:22Again, no time frame, but he said he doesn't want to set a time frame on it,
09:31but it's a long-term injury and it's something that he's really struggling with.
09:36It's such a shame.
09:37I mean, first two games of the season and then even the first 40 minutes when he played against Trammier,
09:44clearly a player with bags and bags of talent,
09:47but just unfortunately has just not had any luck with injury.
09:51Last season was the same situation and it felt like if they could keep Priestley-Fox in fit,
09:56he could be absolutely critical for them this season,
09:58and unfortunately so early in the campaign he's fouled to injury again.
10:03Do you feel that they might dip into the free agent market potentially?
10:06That's a question that will probably be asked in the next week.
10:10I mean, we see how the defence play tonight.
10:15Yeah, yeah, of course.
10:16It's fantastic.
10:17It's perfect.
10:18But then you're looking at, well, if Oshin McKenzie, we don't know how long he's out for,
10:22but if that's any significant period of time, then you've got Farkassen out.
10:27Daniels isn't expected back until the end of September.
10:31Yeah.
10:32So you're looking at the defence you've got tonight and Evan Weir,
10:36who can really only play at left centre-back in Taylor Allen's slot
10:39when you're looking at the centre-back positions.
10:43So unless Matt Sadler's going to do another Taylor Allen and convert someone into a centre-back,
10:48you would feel that just to safeguard them really.
10:51Yeah, yeah.
10:52Because I feel like Donovan and McKenzie could be back in in the next month or so.
10:58So you don't want to make any rush decisions in terms of bringing someone in to overhaul the defence
11:02because the defence has been very impressive.
11:04But just someone probably to come in just to safeguard them from that situation.
11:08We saw last season on a couple of occasions where they have five centre-backs out.
11:12And although, to be honest, Walsall regularly rose to the challenge,
11:16it's a difficult thing to try and negotiate and overcome.
11:20Yeah, maybe that's something that Sadler would be considering.
11:23But that's a question that I will be asking either Thursday or a little bit later down the line.
11:28But Walsall fans can enjoy tonight.
11:30Exactly.
11:31Fantastic performance.
11:32Birmingham City won.
11:33Walsall won 4-3 on penalties.
11:35I'm saying it now.
11:37Make sure you book your tickets, book your hotel to Wembley.
11:40Get them now cheap.
11:41Just make sure they're refundable.
11:43Too soon, too soon.