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Birmingham logo
Championship | Gameweek 23
Jan 2, 2021 at 3pm UK
St. Andrew's Stadium
Blackburn logo

Birmingham
0 - 2
Blackburn


Sanchez (85')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Armstrong (10'), Dack (90+1')
Travis (39'), Douglas (81'), Armstrong (83')

Aitor Karanka remains relaxed over Birmingham future despite Blackburn defeat

Aitor Karanka remains relaxed over Birmingham future despite Blackburn defeat
© Reuters
The Birmingham head coach claimed his side should have been awarded two penalties in the 2-0 loss.

Birmingham head coach Aitor Karanka insisted he is not concerned about his own position and instead hit out at his side being denied two penalties after a 2-0 defeat at home to Blackburn.

Blues suffered a fifth straight home loss in the Sky Bet Championship and have now lost eight home games this season – more than any other team in all four divisions – to lie 18th, four points above the relegation zone.

Adam Armstrong struck after 10 minutes for his 16th league goal of the season before substitute Bradley Dack sealed the points in the second minute of time added on.

"I am completely calm. I know why I came here, I know where the club was, I know where we want to be and I am really, really calm," said Karanka.

"And I know if we can bring one or two or three more (players in), we have to do it.

"I am doing my best, the team in terms of effort is doing their best so I am not concerned at all."

Karanka was angry at the refusal of the officials to award Birmingham a penalty for an alleged shove on Ivan Sanchez by Amari'i Bell immediately before Rovers scored their first goal.

The Spaniard also insisted Blues should have had a spot-kick in the second half for a push on Mikel San Jose at a corner.

"I have seen both of them back. They were clear but when you see the penalty decisions we have suffered, it's difficult to understand," said Karanka.

"I don't know if it's the referees or the committee, but the lack of respect to this club and to these players is amazing. Every single game there is something against us. Once again something that is not in my hands has changed the game again.

"When you're due a decision at home and your confidence is not good and you should have a penalty, but 20 seconds later you concede a goal, it's difficult to take.

"Two penalties for us but we got nothing. I don't know if it's a lack of respect or someone has something against this club or against me, but it's the same."

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray admitted his injury-hit and Covid-hit squad had been well below par.

He believes there should be some formal guidelines issued by the EFL on how many players need to be out before a game is postponed after missing 10 players.

"I was quite annoyed in the dressing room at half-time – that was probably the worst we've been for a long time," said Mowbray.

"The question that hangs over football is how many Covids (players who have tested positive) do you need before you call a game off?

"We have some Covid issues, but someone needs to tell us the criteria. When we ask the question, we're asked if we're socially distancing – we are – we received an exemplary pass, and yet we've picked up some Covids.

"But the players don't live in the training centre, they go home and see their missus, then go shopping. You can catch it at the petrol station and the supermarket.

"We had maybe eight injuries here, two Covids, when can you call it off? Two, supplemented by the eight injuries, should be enough. We are very transparent and tell them how it is. Maybe we should 'play the game' a bit more."

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham27196246192763
2Wycombe WanderersWycombe29178455302559
3Wrexham29167643251855
4Stockport CountyStockport29148744281650
5Huddersfield TownHuddersfield28146841261548
6Leyton Orient281351040251544
7Charlton AthleticCharlton2812883628844
8Reading28135104341244
9Bolton WanderersBolton29135114343044
10Barnsley29127104139243
11Stevenage2711792725240
12Lincoln CityLincoln29109103534139
13Blackpool2891184140138
14Mansfield TownMansfield27114123534137
15Rotherham UnitedRotherham28107113333037
16Wigan AthleticWigan2897122728-134
17Exeter CityExeter2995153346-1332
18Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2886144452-830
19Northampton TownNorthampton2979132845-1730
20Bristol Rovers2784152543-1828
21Burton Albion29510143044-1425
22Crawley TownCrawley2766152748-2124
23Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2865172848-2023
24Cambridge UnitedCambridge2857162950-2122


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