Birmingham City need to beware Bournemouth backlash as 'focus' returns to Championship matters

Heading into Birmingham City's trip to the south coast on Wednesday, Bournemouth had possibly the worst possible preparation.

The Cherries suffered a shock defeat to fifth tier Boreham Wood in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, sending the Championship club tumbling out of the competition in embarrassing fashion.

While it was one of the best stories to come out of the cup weekend from a neutral perspective, and possibly one of the greatest upsets, it was a humiliating experience for the losing side.

Blues will know all too well how bruising it can be to be on the wrong end of these surprise results having lost to League One outfit Plymouth Argyle, but the gap between the two sides is obviously far narrower than between Bournemouth and The Wood.

Nonetheless, the performance of Scott Parker's side, and not just the result, should offer comfort and hope for Birmingham and the club's hoping to catch them in the Championship table.

It was, in many ways, a microcosm of Parker's methodology and approach, with his team having 83 percent of possession and attempting 18 shots but only getting two on target and scoring zero goals.

In fairness to Bournemouth, they have the third best goal conversion rate and the third-most goals scored in the division while also boasting the joint-best defensive record.

But the early season buzz that accompanied their 15-game unbeaten run has gradually dissipated under 'Parkerball'. During that run, they were scoring at a rate of 1.73 goals per game and blanked just twice. In the 13 league matches since, that has dropped to 1.38 goals per game and they have blanked three times.

That is hardly a huge fall from grace, but it illustrates the growing difficulties Bournemouth have had in front