Monk left frustrated as Birmingham are held by Blackburn
Posted Sunday, February 24, 2019 by PA
Birmingham boss Garry Monk claimed his side let Blackburn off the hook following a 2-2 draw at St Andrew’s.
The Blues were indebted to the goalscoring form of Che Adams, who netted twice to take his tally to 21 – the first player to notch 20 goals in a season for the club since Steve Claridge
achieved the feat 24 years ago.
Adams put Birmingham ahead in the 16th minute which was cancelled out by a Charlie Mulgrew equaliser in the 52nd minute direct from a corner.
Danny Graham gave Rovers the lead in the 83rd minute but Adams ensured a share of the spoils with a leveller two minutes later.
On the form of Adams, Monk said: “That was the silver lining. He now has to continue what he is doing at the present time.
“It was a fantastic achievement. We are all delighted for him. It is not just his goals, it is his all-round performance and his contribution to the team.
“What should have been three good points ended up being a battling draw. The lesson is that when you are ahead you have to go for the kill.”
Monk, however, was not happy with Birmingham’s overall performance, particularly after Mulgrew’s goal.
He added: “We had Blackburn where we wanted them in the first half-hour. We were doing everything right with Adams’ goal and then allowed them to wrestle the initiative off us.
“They went in at half-time with belief. They came out and then the game became 50-50 after they obtained their equaliser. But we conceded two bad goals and you have to give credit to their determination.
“It is a lesson to be learned but to come back to earn a point with Adams notching his late equaliser after Danny Graham had given Blackburn the lead a minute previously must be a pleasing aspect.”
Rovers manager Tony Mowbray was far from downcast after the match.
He said: “We didn’t start the game. The first 20 minutes was a non-event.
“There was a little encouragement in the closing stages of the first half and then Charlie Mulgrew got the equaliser direct from a corner.
“That is 23 goals for Charlie over the last two seasons which is not bad for a central defender. We then took the lead and my dressing room is frustrated we didn’t get three points.
“Never mind we halted our losing run. Even in those defeats we have produced some good performances against Bristol City and Reading.
“I have no fears with my team and we will be fine. We need to build the squad to threaten the top six.
“If we had beaten Bristol City we would have been seventh, two points off the team sixth. Then four defeats take you nowhere in mid-table.
“But we have to rebuild for the future like several other clubs in the division who have aspirations to play in the Premier League.
“We have just come out of League One and until recently we have done really well with the same players as last season.”
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