Lee Bowyer identifies key area that Birmingham City need to improve upon after Reading defeat

Birmingham City head coach Lee Bowyer has admitted that his side need to work on their ruthlessness in the final third of the pitch after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Reading last night.

The Blues created a number of chances to take the lead in this fixture.

However, after Lyle Taylor, Jeremie Bela and Jordan James all squandered opportunities, Reading opened the scoring in the second-half.

Lucas Joao fired past Birmingham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after being teed up by John Swift.

Reading then doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute as Swift converted from the penalty spot.

An own-goal from Tom McIntyre set up an enthralling end to this particular fixture as Birmingham pushed for an equaliser.

Hernandez missed a chance to seal a point for the Blues as he fired wide in the closing stages at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Reflecting on his side’s defeat to Reading, Bowyer has insisted that his side need to be more clinical in their upcoming fixtures.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Bowyer said: “Saying the same things again, not ruthless enough in the final third.

“I don’t know how many times we got around their goal in the first half, at least six.

“Just make the right pass, that kept happening all night long, we just didn’t take care.

“Onel, I don’t know how many times he got beyond their last defender, squaring it, cutting it back, how many balls went across the face of their goal with no-one gambling for a tap-in.

“We were just poor in the final third tonight [Tuesday], I don’t know why, it was frustrating though.”

Bowyer later added: “The player tried to the end, kept going, we got a goal back, should have got another one back, they are good lads, I will never question their attitude and fighting