Birmingham City Made Shocking Chant At Adams Park, Was It A “Racism” Chant?

Yokoyama brilliance, new Birmingham City chant and what next for Dembele after Wycombe snub

Birmingham City celebrated an away victory on Saturday after coming from behind to defeat Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 at Adams Park.

Blues recovered from Krystian Bielik’s early own goal to race into a 3-1 lead through Alfie May, Luke Harris and Willum Willumsson before Sam Vokes scored Wycombe’s second in the 90th minute to set up an anxious finale.

Chris Davies’ team held on to secure their second away victory in the space of five days after Charlton were dumped out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Having won just once on the road in the first half of 2024, Davies has trebled that tally inside a week of the new season. Here are our talking points post-Wycombe…

Strength of subs shows again

Davies wastes little time when it comes to introducing substitutes and made three before the 65th minute against Wycombe. Koji Miyoshi was the first man summoned from the bench and while the diminutive Japanese winger added poise, his compatriot Ayumu Yokoyama provided the punch and inspiration Blues required.

Yokoyama found himself in a one-v-one situation with his full-back three minutes after coming on and absolutely bamboozled him. The 21-year-old shimmied left, then right, before propelling himself down the outside and pulling the ball back for Harris to convert from close range.

Willumsson, who was brought on in tandem with Yokoyama, produced a clinical finish for Blues’ third after Miyoshi’s shot had been saved by Wycombe goalkeeper Nathan Bishop.

“The way we play wears the opposition down essentially and we need to make sure that we’ve got real punch in that last 20 minutes, because it’s going to be critical for us,” said Davies. “Any team that likes to dominate the ball has to really understand that period is crucial and you can really push forward.

“So subs need to come on and raise your level and I thought for Yoko to come on and have his moment one-v-one and be decisive, which is what he needs to be. He was decisive.

“And then Willum, who contributed really well to arrive and finish with a quality finish down in front of the away fans. I thought it was an excellent contribution from those guys.”