Birmingham 0 – 0 Stoke – 22nd August – St. Andrews stalemate

When you are newly promoted to the Premier League you take every point you can get; and that includes draws at home. While the logical inclination for new teams is to win as many games at home as they can, going gung-ho to get that victory or playing a bit conservatively can be the difference between a point and no points.

0-0 games are rarely exciting and, in all honesty, Birmingham and Stoke will not go down as a Premier League classic. It was however a well fought and contested match. Clear chances were not in abundance and Garry O’Conner will be kicking himself for squandering the best chance of the game, although Thomas Sorenson pulled off a remarkable save from the Scot’s header to deny the Blues an opening.

Stoke deployed their usual high aerial strategy that has became their trademark. However it seems Alex McLeish has been making his team read up on Rory Delap as every throw that ventured into the Birmingham box was quickly and efficiently cleared up the pitch. Stokes best best perhaps came from Ricardo Fuller who headed the ball over the bar after he was given a golden opportunity from Matthew Etherington. The fact that it took Tony Pulis’ side 56 minutes to hit the target says it all.

Birmingham will feel that they should have taken more from this game and Alex McLeish will be warning his side against the dangers of dropping too many points at home as the battle to stay in the league; Stoke however are desperately looking like a one tactic team and will need to find another way to break down the oppositions defense when their long aerial balls don’t do the job.