Birmingham City player ratings vs Sheffield United: Attacking promise as defence falter

Birmingham City were pegged back from a winning position for the second time in as many games as they lost 2-1 to Sheffield United on Friday evening.

Lyle Taylor had given the Blues the lead with a lovely finish midway through the second-half but goals from Billy Sharp and Jayden Bogle turned the match on its’ head and inflicted a 13th defeat of the season on Lee Bowyer’s side.

Here’s our player ratings from the disappointing loss.

Neil Etheridge - 5

Could do nothing about Billy Sharp’s goal but his distribution was off all evening and not for the first time.

Needlessly kicked the ball straight out of play on multiple occasions. All it does is invite unneccessary pressure.

Not sure about the mazy run in stoppage time either.

Maxime Colin - 6

Pretty anonymous again. Didn’t do anything wrong but didn’t do much right either.

Seems massively off the boil in recent weeks.

Marc Roberts - 6

Had a couple of important blocks which keeps his rating up but did have some real shaky moments.

The wrestling match he had in the corner with Ndiaye seemed massively unnecessary and on another day could have been given a red for pure stupidity.

Teden Mengi - 5

His worst game in a Blues shirt to date for me.

Didn’t do anything glaringly wrong but lost possession sloppily on numerous occasions, one that nearly led to a goal for United.

He’s young though and it’s a learning curve.

Kristian Pedersen - 7

Big block in the second-half to deny what looked a certain goal.

Wasn’t as effective going forward which isn’t ideal but the full-backs may have been told to sit a little deeper following the arrival of the more attacking players.

Ryan Woods - 6

Highly ineffective which is a shame considering his recent games.

You definitely want more from your central-midfielder.

Juninho Bacuna - 7

Quality is there for all to see. Getting him on a permanent deal is a real good addition for this club.

He’s still only young and will get better - especially as the squad around him slowly improves.

Gary Gardner - 6.5

Better than Woods but not as good as Bacuna.

Ran really hard with a classic ‘box-to-box’ performance but didn’t have enough quality to really make an impression on the contest.

Onel Hernandez - 8*

He didn’t get Blues’ goal but he does get my man-of-the-match and not just for his involvement in the opener.

Sheffield United’s defence were scared to death of him every time he got on the ball. His acceleration is next level and he’s only going to get better as he gets fitter.

Unfortunate to be brought off with cramp in the final 10.

Scott Hogan - 6.5

Worked hard and created space for his strike partner but it didn’t quite happen for him this evening.

Lyle Taylor - 8

Two goals in two games for the man on loan from Nottingham Forest. Can’t ask much much from your striker than that.

Another calmly taken finish into the bottom corner too. Certainly looks the best of the current striking options at the moment.

Subs:

Lukas Jutkiewicz - N/A

Brought on with under 10 minutes to go.

Jordan Graham - N/A

Replaced Hernandez who appeared to be suffering with cramp in the 83rd minute.

Birmingham City (4-3-1-2): Etheridge; Colin, Mengi, Roberts, Pedersen; Woods, Gardner, Bacuna; Hernandez (83’ Graham); Hogan (82’ Jutkiewicz), Taylor

Subs not used: Trueman (GK), Bellingham, Sunjic, Campbell, James

Sheffield United (3-5-2): Foderingham; Basham, Egan, Davies; Bogle, Norwood, Berge, Fleck, Norrington-Davies; Ndiaye (78’ McBurnie), Sharp (88’ McGoldrick)

Subs not used: Davies (GK), Goode, Baldock, Hourihane, Jebbison

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