What Charlie Taylor said about St Andrew’s is bittersweet for Birmingham City fans | OneFootball

Charlie Taylor’s comments after the West Midlands derby stalemate will leave Blues supporters feeling bittersweet over their St Andrew’s exit.

Birmingham City and West Brom played out a goalless stalemate at St Andrew’s in the West Midlands derby yesterday evening, with the hosts scratching their heads as to how they couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

Callum Styles first prevented a diving header from Paik Seung-ho crossing the line before goalkeeper Max O’Leary was in top form to tip over Bright Osayi-Samuel’s attempt in the first period.

In the second half, Charlie Taylor produced one of the goal line clearances of the season to keep out Ibrahim Osman’s sharp low shot, while O’Leary was on hand again to brilliantly deny Marvin Ducksch’s rasping effort.

And Blues’ bad luck was compounded when August Priske’s last-gasp header from a set-piece was ruled out due to Demarai Gray impeding O’Leary, before Carlos Vicente’s deflected cross struck the foot of the near post, before action was called on a fiery and eventful affair.

Eric Ramsay’s men showed so much grit and determination in their defensive work in front of a dominant Blues side, and very much rode their luck throughout the 96 minutes to pick up what could be a crucial point in their quest for Championship survival.

Meanwhile, Birmingham will be left bitterly disappointed by their inability to find that decisive goal, which would have lifted them into the top six and put out a big statement that they were in the promotion battle to the Premier League.

Nevertheless, the points were shared for the second time this campaign, with the duo also drawing 1-1 at The Hawthorns last November.

After the match, defender Charlie Taylor reflected on the point the Baggies picked up on the road, making a comment about St Andrew’s that will surely leave Blues supporters feeling bittersweet.

Charlie Taylor makes St Andrew’s assessment after West Midlands derby stalemate

Speaking after the goalless draw to Sky Sports, defender Charlie Taylor reflected on West Brom’s draw with Birmingham City, citing how pleased the visitors were to come away with a point at “one of the hardest places to come in the league”.

Taylor said: “We are really pleased. It’s one of the hardest places to come in this league. To get a point and a clean sheet is something we are really pleased with and, hopefully, we can build on it.”

While there will be immense frustration for Birmingham that they didn’t get all three points from a game they were totally dominant in, it’s refreshing to see someone like Charlie Taylor being so complimentary about St Andrew’s, highlighting how difficult a place it is to come to and walk away with a positive result.

Taylor is right to point out that it is one of the toughest places in the league to come to. Birmingham have lost just once all season at home, coming in October last year, with such strong and consistent results in front of their own supporters paramount to the West Midlands outfit being in contention for promotion back to the big time.

And with opposition players respecting what a fortress St Andrew’s is, it will be a bittersweet moment for Birmingham fans, and it will also present the same feeling given they are going to be leaving the stadium quite soon.

No one can predict what division Birmingham will be playing in come the 2030-31 campaign, but there will be hope that they can transition such positive form when they move into their new home in the Sports Quarter.

It’ll be vitally important they do, as having a home fortress is crucial to the club tasting success in whichever league they end up in.