Chris Davies has reacted to a ”nonsense” moment that occurred during Birmingham City 3-1 Wrexham.
Blues’ head coach was unimpressed by the brawl that ensued between both sets of players late in the second half, especially as the incident snowballed into a red card for Krystian Bielik.
Birmingham’s captain received a first booking for scrapping with Wrexham duo Paul Mullin and James McClean before being brandished a second yellow for a late lunge on Tom O’Connor. Referee Scott Oldham gave Bielik his marching orders with around five minutes to play, reducing Blues to 10 men.
The decision had no impact on the result as the hosts held on to their 3-1 victory under the lights at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. It will cause a headache for Davies ahead of Saturday’s clash at Rotherham United, though, as Bielik is now suspended.
“I had my back turned to the melee because there was all that nonsense going on,” Davies said in the post-match press conference, reacting to the situation.
“I didn’t actually know that he’d picked up the first yellow, and then I saw the incident on the touchline when they were breaking away and you probably pick up a booking for that.
“I’m very disappointed to lose him. That overshadows it a little bit. He’s our captain and an important player. But we have a squad for a reason and it gives other players an opportunity,” Davies continued.
Jay Stansfield, who scored two of Birmingham’s goals upon his second league debut for the club, put Bielik’s actions down to competitiveness and passion. There was certainly aspects of that but Blues’ skipper could’ve acted in a far less erratic manner. If he had, this conversation wouldn’t even be happening.
Nonetheless, the headlines are rightfully instead on the result itself as Birmingham came out on top in a huge top-of-the-table League One clash. Davies’ side move to within goal difference of leaders Wrexham with a game in hand.
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Phil Parkinson bemoans transfer problem Birmingham City created for Wrexham
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was speaking to the media after their 3-1 defeat to Birmingham City at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park
Phil Parkinson has become the latest League One manager to bemoan Birmingham City’s spending power.
Blues dismantled Parkinson’s top-of-the-table Wrexham on Monday night and two of their late summer arrivals netted the goals. League One’s costliest ever player Jay Stansfield bagged a brace and Tomoki Iwata, who was playing Champions League football with Celtic last term, netted the killer third goal.
Whilst Wrexham have one of the bigger budgets in League One, due to the wealth of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, they were unable to compete with Blues. Parkinson says Wrexham were interested in some of the 17 players Blues recruited during the summer transfer window but fell short on transfer fees and wages.
“Birmingham have had an extraordinary opportunity this summer with the resources they have had,” said Parkinson. “Every player we were going for, they were going for them and outbidding us or offering more wages. It was almost ‘let them sign who they want and everyone else will look for what else is out there’.
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