Birmingham City were on the wrong end of the big upset in League One as they lost 3-2 at struggling Shrewsbury Town.
This was the third time Blues have visited Shropshire since July having defeated Salop in pre-season and the EFL Trophy. Blues walloped Shrewsbury 4-0 in the Trophy last month.
But the Shrews had a new manager in charge for this game after Paul Hurst was sacked and Gareth Ainsworth appointed during the international break. And the new man was on cloud nine after guiding the Shrews to victory in his first match in charge.
The home side took the lead on the half-hour mark when Aaron Pierre drilled the ball in from close range, with the move originating from a set-piece.
Shrewsbury doubled their lead in the 37th minute when Leo Castledine’s deflected shot found John Marquis at the back post for the forward to tap in.
Birmingham pulled one back just before the break through a composed finish from Tomoki Iwata into the bottom corner.
Marquis picked up a long ball and drove towards goal just before the hour mark, laying a pass off to Tom Bloxham, who bundled a finish in from close range to restore the hosts’ two-goal cushion.
Referee Sunny Gill pointed to the spot with under 20 minutes remaining after a handball in the box and Jay Stansfield converted.
Stansfield went close to a second minutes later after some neat build-up play found the forward in the area, but Toby Savin was equal to his effort.
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Bottom-of-the-table Shrewsbury Town blotted Birmingham City’s League One copybook with a shock 3-2 victory at The Croud Meadow.
Aaron Pierre, John Marquis and Tom Bloxham gave new Salop manager Gareth Ainsworth a winning start and condemned big-spending Blues to three games without a victory in the league. Tomoki Iwata and Jay Stansfield gave Blues hope of another comeback but they were deservedly beaten.
FT: Shrewsbury 3-2 Blues
Blues have been shocked by bottom-of-the-table Shrewsbury. A very poor display by Blues, littered with errors and lacking in genuine goal-scoring chances.
They were deservedly beaten at The Croud Meadow.
Yokoyama on
Final roll of the dice for Davies. Ayumu Yokoyama has replaced Bielik in the 88th minute.
Iwata has dropped to centre-back with Leonard in midfield and Yokoyama has come out to the right wing.
Blues are back in it (again)
Jay Stansfield has just converted a penalty with 14 minutes of normal time remaining. The striker smashed the ball straight down the middle.
Marc Leonard's shot was blocked by an arm inside the penalty box. It's 3-2 at The Croud Meadow...
Two more Blues changes
Davies has reacted to the goal by making two more changes. Ethan Laird and Luke Harris have made way for Marc Leonard and Alfie May.
Paik has gone to right-back to accomodate Leonard in midfield. May has joined Dykes up top with Stansfield off the left.
Shrewsbury lead 3-1
3-1 Shrewsbury. Bloxham bundles home in the 55th minute. Far too easy for Shrewsbury to get in behind Blues' back-line. Marquis squared it for Bloxham to beat Iwata to the punch.
Marquis hits the woodwork
Marquis has just hit the bar with a curling effort after being found by Bloxham's cut-back from the right. Harris gave the ball away in midfield and Shrewsbury got in behind through Bloxham. No sign of a Blues reaction yet.
Back underway
We are back underway at The Croud Meadow and Davies has resisted the urge to make further changes at half-time.
The Blues boss has Alfie May and Ayumu Yokoyama among his options from the bench.
HT: Shrewsbury 2-1 Blues
The picture doesn't look so bleak after Iwata's goal but Blues have been sluggish. Once again they have to show their ability to come from behind.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Chris Davies make another change at the interval.
Blues are back in it!
Perfect timing! Tomoki Iwata has pulled one back just before half-time for Blues with a smart finish. Laird's cross from the right fell invitingly for Iwata and he made no mistake. 2-1.
2-0 Shrewsbury
2-0 Shrewsbury. Rapid breakaway and Marquis scores after Allsop's initial save.
Blues are all at sea in this first half. This is the second time this season Blues have fallen two goals behind.
Anderson replaced by Dykes
Chris Davies has made a sub in the 34th minute. Dykes on for Anderson. Anderson clearly not injured and clearly not happy.
It is worth noting Anderson was booked for the foul that led to the free-kick Blues conceded from. That will have played its part in Davies' decision.
Blues behind
Shrewsbury take the lead. A set piece was headed back into the danger zone and Pierre volleyed in with his left foot.
Blues now have it all to do at The Croud Meadow.
Pub Bombings victims remembered
Both sets of supporters have joined in an applause for the victims of the Birmingham Pub Bombings in the 21st minute. 'Justice for the 21' rings around the Blues end at Croud Meadow.
It was the 50th anniversairy of the Pub Bombings on Thursday.
First chance for Blues
First chance for Blues sees Willumsson fire into the side-netting. He should have picked out Stansfield who was unmarked in the six-yard box.
Nice build-up play from Blues.
Davies seems to have tweaked Laird's position in possession. Instead of playing high on the right, Willumsson is holding the width and Laird is playing next to Stansfield.
Paik is dropping into the right-back slot when Blues are building up from the back.
And it begins
The teams are out at The Croud Meadow and Jay Stansfield has got the ball rolling. Blues are wearing their black and red third strip for the second time this season.
It is absolutely freezing inside this stadium. Apparently it's 12 degrees, but I refuse to believe it.
Some thoughts on Alfie May
It is no longer a massive surprise to see Alfie May left out of the XI. Chris Davies is aware that his decision to shift May into a number 10 position has affected the striker's form and effectively took ownership for it on Thursday.
The fact of the matter is Jay Stansfield is Blues' first choice centre-forward and there are more natural fits for the number 10 position than May.
Luke Harris is a player Davies rates highly and has the chance to stake his claim for the spot today.
With so many games coming up in the next few weeks and months, May will come back into the line-up and play regular football. If Harris does impress, Davies might not feel the need to use May out of position so often.
Check out what Davies said about May HERE
Shrewsbury have made three changes
Shrewsbury have made three changes from their last League One game at Burton two weeks ago. Josh Feeney, George Nurse and Jordan Rossiter have lost their places in the XI to Luca Hoole, Toto Nsiala and Taylor Perry.
It was Perry who fouled Scott Wright to spark the mass confrontation in the EFL Trophy game here last month.
My colleagues from Shrewsbury aren't certain on the formation. Apparently it could be a back three or a back four.
(Shrewsbury): Savin, Hoole, Pierre, Nsiala, Benning, Winchester, Perry, Gilliead, Castledine, Bloxham, Marquis
Subs: Young, Rossiter, Lloyd, Sagoe Jr, Nurse, Shipley, O'Reilly
Blues make one change
Chris Davies has drafted in Luke Harris to replace Alfie May in Birmingham City’s only change from the draw with Northampton two weeks ago.
Fulham loanee Harris comes into the Blues XI at Shrewsbury to play in the attacking quartet with Willum Willumsson, Keshi Anderson and Jay Stansfield. May is named among the Blues substitutes.
(4-2-3-1): Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Bielik, Cochrane; Iwata, Paik; Willumsson, Harris, Anderson; Stansfield
Subs: Peacock-Farrell, Davies, Gardner-Hickman, Leonard, Yokoyama, May, Dykes
Blues have arrived
The Blues squad have just arrived at The Croud Meadow and a few of them have braved the conditions for a stroll on the pitch. Chris Davies had a quick look and decided to go back inside, as did most of his players.
Top scorer Jay Stansfield has enjoyed a solo stroll around the turf. It will be interesting to see whether Stansfield is paired with Alfie May again today. Luke Harris, Ayumu Yokoyama and Lyndon Dykes are alternative options for Davies if he wants to switch things up.
Good morning
Hello from a bitterly cold Croud Meadow where Blues take on Shrewsbury Town in League One's lunchtime kick-off.
The game isn't actually on Sky Sports because Shrewsbury didn't want it to be. They are expecting their biggest attendance of the season today.
We've had snow all week and rainfall this morning but the pitch looks good.
Shrewsbury (a) #BCFC can return to the top of League One (temporarily at least) with a win today. pic.twitter.com/B8gKSpq2mL
— Alex Dicken (@alexedicken) November 23, 2024
