MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 21:34:02| >> :60:730:730:

Pep Clotet claims Birmingham denied "two clear penalties"

Pep Clotet claims Birmingham denied
© Reuters
The Blues boss was frustrated following the draw with Millwall.

Birmingham caretaker head coach Pep Clotet believes his side were denied two penalties in their 1-1 draw against Millwall.

Jake Clarke-Salter's header 11 minutes from time – his first goal for the club – cancelled out Shaun Williams's spectacular 30-yard strike from the 61st minute.

Blues also had centre-back Marc Roberts carried off on a stretcher due to a twisted ankle suffered after 26 minutes.

Clotet was frustrated at missing out on two possible spot kicks after Clarke-Salter and Alvaro Gimenez looked to have had their shirts tugged in the box in the second half.

"We were unlucky that the referee could not see two clear penalties in my opinion," said Clotet.

"That would have changed the game but we don't use that as an excuse.

"One on Jude (Bellingham) I am not sure, but the one on Alvaro is very clear – it's a penalty and a red card.

"Jake was the same – he was pulled in the box. But the referee did not see it."

Millwall's former Birmingham manager Gary Rowett disputed Clotet's claim on the penalties.

"Two? Blimey! I don't think he should have had one. If you are the home manager and have not created many chances that's what you say," said Rowett.

"Our analyst said they might have had a shout for one of them, but we limited them to virtually nothing."

Rowett has picked up 11 points from 18 since he was appointed and believes Millwall were good value for a draw.

"I wouldn't say I was pleased. The first half was very good – we were by far the better side, and we created a lot of chances," he insisted.

"When we counter-attacked, we did it well. Our shape was good, we negated a lot. We had a great chance with Matt Smith which would normally be a tap-in for him but it was a great save from Connal Trueman.

"In the second half we ran out of steam a bit, and run out of composure.

"Birmingham bringing Jefferson Montero on that left side allowed them to create a bit of momentum.

"I was disappointed to concede a goal – it was a free header six yards out which isn't what we do but it's been a positive week. We are showing real ambition."

It was Birmingham's third successive 1-1 draw after similar outcomes at Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield.

But they have now gone five games without a win, since October 26.

Clotet was pleased Blues salvaged something from the game after Millwall defended in numbers after scoring.

"I want to praise the side for coming back into a very difficult game and remind the players that Millwall went ahead against Swansea and it was impossible for Swansea to get back into the game," the Spaniard added.

"We want to remind ourselves of how we can do better, how can we can create more chances and how we can take more chances."

Regarding Roberts, Clotet said: "He landed on his ankle and twisted it and that's not a good sign. It doesn't look good but it's too early to assess.

"It's painful but we will be able to say in a couple of days."

A draw was a fair result with Blues having the two penalty appeals turned down while Ivan Sunjic was denied and Bellingham, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Gimenez fired wide.

For Millwall, Matt Smith and Ben Thompson were foiled and Jed Wallace just missed the target.

ID:381258: cacheID:381258:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5346:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Millwall manager Gary Rowett pictured on October 26, 2019
Read Next:
Gary Rowett admits Millwall did not deserve more than a draw against Wigan
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham26186244182660
2Wycombe WanderersWycombe28177454292558
3Wrexham28157641241752
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield27146739231648
5Stockport CountyStockport28138743281547
6Leyton Orient27135940241644
7Bolton WanderersBolton28135104342144
8Charlton AthleticCharlton2712783426843
9Barnsley28126104139242
10Reading27125104241141
11Lincoln CityLincoln28108103433138
12Mansfield TownMansfield26114113432237
13Blackpool2791083938137
14Rotherham UnitedRotherham27107103231137
15Stevenage2610792324-137
16Wigan AthleticWigan2796122627-133
17Exeter CityExeter2895143242-1032
18Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2886144452-830
19Bristol Rovers2784152543-1828
20Northampton TownNorthampton2869132543-1827
21Burton Albion2859143044-1424
22Crawley TownCrawley2666142646-2024
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge2756162849-2121
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2755172647-2120


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!