Birmingham City fans are divided over James Beadle after match-changing Middlesbrough flashpoint | OneFootball

Blues' goalkeeper was at the front and centre of post-match conversations

Birmingham City supporters have been divided in their opinions of goalkeeper James Beadle after a game-changing flashpoint in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

Blues have endured a mixed start to the Championship campaign, which now pauses for a three-week international break, having drawn several of their first eight games whilst only suffering defeat on one occasion.

Chris Davies' side headed into the weekend's clash against Kim Hellberg's men buoyed by a 2-1 comeback victory over Derby County at Pride Park on September 12th, and their latest clash was also an entertaining one against Boro.

Although Max Arfsten gave the Teessiders the lead on the stroke of half-time, Birmingham turned the game on its head after the break when Hull City loanee, Liam Millar, netted his first goal for the club to compliment his three prior assists, before former midfielder, Riley McGree, turned the ball into his own net just four minutes later.

However, Adilson Malanda's equaliser just two minutes from time has become the subject of controversial discourse in more ways than one, with Birmingham supporters certainly divided on how they saw the flashpoint unfold.

Birmingham City fans split in James Beadle opinions after Middlesbrough flashpoint

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Beadle, 22, has been the subject of mixed reviews from Birmingham fans for some time, having spent the best part of 14 months on loan in B9 from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Middlesbrough's 3-1 win at St. Andrew's in March also saw the goalkeeper in the headlines, but this time it came after Malanda's equaliser, with the shot-stopper unable to gather Sebastian Berhalter's initial free-kick before claims of a foul from Kyle Joseph seconds before the French centre-back found target.

"God I love Beadle and think he’s had a great start to the season but that is awful," read one of several replies to the goal update on Blues' X account.

"That is all Beadle’s fault, simples," was another assessment of the high-profile flashpoint.

"(Ryan) Allsop ain’t dropping that ball simple," claimed another Blues supporter, suggesting that a change between the sticks could be required.

"Truly terrible keeping there, costing us two points by not being able to do the basics," stated another fan.

However, some were adamant the goal should not have stood, with another verdict reading: "Not Beadles fault when boro players stepped on him and kicked the ball out his hands."

"This ref needs investigating, I've have never been so sure of a paid off ref," commented another frustrated Blues fan.

Chris Davies reacts to high-profile James Beadle flashpoint

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Unsurprisingly, the incident was a hot topic of discussion in Davies' post-match press conference after the draw.

Beadle has kept just one clean sheet so far this term, which came in the opening day goalless draw at Sheffield United, but in the eyes of many, has shown an improvement in recent weeks.

Asked for his opinion on the matter, the Blues boss said: The players are telling me that they thought that he had the two hands on the ball. I haven't seen the slow-down image of it. That would be the one to see, but I don't know if it was.

"If it was, it's scandalous. It's scandalous if he's had the two hands on the ball and it's been missed then that can't happen. Well, it can, but it shouldn't.

"I don't know is the answer, but it was a sickening way, just from that deep set piece, just whipped in, one bounce. And I'd say James has saved us many times, and he's a fantastic goalkeeper. He's had a really good season, so like I said to him, these things happen," Davies added.

Birmingham City can still build on encouraging Championship start

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Despite the sickening end to Saturday's draw with Middlesbrough, it has been an encouraging start to the season for Birmingham, and very much an improvement on this time 12 months' ago.

Davies' side have remained competitive in several of their first eight outings, but will be hoping to shore up their defence when club action returns to the agenda in early October.