Game Report: Birmingham City 0-4 Cardiff CityIt looks worse than it was
In what was essentially a meaningless game for both teams, with the Blues now assured of Championship survival, and Cardiff out of the running for promotion, manager Lee Bowyer decided to rest several of his regular starters. The result was the worst defeat of his tenure to date, with the Bluebirds racking up 4 goals, including a hat-trick by Harry Wilson. Wilson is a Welsh national team player on loan from Liverpool, and is best known for having broken Gareth Bales’ record as the youngest player ever to appear for his country. The other goal was scored by Mark Harris.
Birmingham heavily outpossessed Cardiff 59-41, but were outshot 13-10, and managed only one shot on target. Still, for what was basically a reserve team, this was not disastrous. Of the team that clinched Championship survival against Derby County last week, only four players started this game. Notable omissions from the lineup included goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, leading goalscorer Lukas Jutkiewicz and Scott Hogan, who has a hip injury.
Bowyer had stated before the game that he would use the remainder of the season to experiment with formations and personnel. Clearly he changed the lineup, but the formation was a traditional 4-4-2.
The Blues now have one game remaining in the season, away at Blackburn Rovers next Saturday.
