Blues o Huddersfield 1

Today offered Blues the chance to put right all their sins against Barnsley. That was the last home game. Since then, Blues have beaten Brighton away and lost as Cardiff. Just as light at the end of this very long tunnel seemed to shine, Blues suffered their second straight home defeat, and in truth, it could have been by a bigger margin.

Huddersfield would always be tricky opponents. Their impressive start to the season was followed by two straight defeats. A wounded animal. Blues never really got going, the Terriers taking the game them from the off. James Vaughan missed a sitter after 30 seconds. He controlled a pass and turned Steven Caldwell with ease, but fired wide. Another chance came soon after as Blues escaped punishment. One half chance came Blues’ way. Wade Elliott’s through ball found Chris Burke, who’s cross was met by Leroy Lita, but he didn’t make a real connection.

Jack Butland came to the rescue after Jermaine Beckford sent a header goalwards, the young stopper tipping wide. For all the huffing and puffing Blues did, there was no real end product to any of the attacks.

The visitors took the lead in the 25th minute. Beckford wriggled his way free of the defender and fired Huddersfield in front. Almost immediately after, Nathan Redmond’s curler hit the inside of the post, the closest Blues came all afternoon.

After the half-time boo’s, could Clark get a reaction from the players. A bright start to the second half and Blues’ best spell of the game. Burke sent a chip towards goal but the scrambling Alex Smithies turned it over. Elliott, as was the case today, sent over a dreadful corner and the danger was cleared.

Blues’ injury curse continued as both James Hurst and Curtis Davies hobbled off. After Nikola Zigic was given his marching orders after a clumsy looking challenge, Blues’ hopes were fading fast. Smithies pulled off an excellent save from an Elliott header, but an equaliser would have papered over the very big cracks. Two weeks until Blues take on Leicester at St. Andrews after the international break. Something has got to give. 21st in the Championship is not a nice position to be in. Is it time to sack Clark? Or is it too soon? Patience is running very thin.

Blues ratings- Butland 7. Hurst 6. *DAVIES 7. Caldwell 6. Robinson 6. Burke 6. Spector 6. Fahey 5. Elliott 5. Redmond 5. Lita 6…SUBS USED- Zigic 5. Mullins 5. Hancox 6.

Match report by Rob Wildey.