Birmingham City fans react to Zola not starting Kerim Frei against Cardiff on social media
Birmingham City held Cardiff City to a 1-1 away from home to put an end to a two game losing streak.
Turkish international winger Kerim Frei did not start for the Blues but they did show a marked improvement after his introduction to the game.
See More: For the latest Kerim Frei news and everything else you ever wanted to know about the Birmingham City
Birmingham City found a last-gasp equaliser following the introduction of the former Besiktas man.
Jutkiewicz scored the equaliser which prevented the Blues dropping further into lower quarter of the table.
Frei was introduced to the game on 75 minutes but did earn praise from the fans and head coach Gianfranco Zola for his display.
We took a look at how Birmingham City fans reacted to his performance on social media.
Questions were raised again as to why Zola benched Frei.
@BCFC why kerim frei is substitute?
— Winston Smith #NO (@sonofriedman) March 11, 2017
Kerim Frei on the bench against for Birmingham City. Starting to wonder why Zola paid £2m for him? perhaps he’s giving him time to adjust..
— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) March 11, 2017
@JimWhite – Gary Rowett = comman sense management. Zola 2.5m on Frei and system does not fit it
— Phillip Walton (@philsportsfeed) March 9, 2017
Can tell Zola had little involvement in the signings for example: Frei, why sign him and not play wingers
— JB (@Insigxe) March 11, 2017
Zola has brought on Frei in periods of the game when Birmingham City have been losing for two matches running now.
@Connor1875 Are we losing already he normally brings on Kerim Frei when we’re losing ???
— Sami (@Sami__Blue) March 10, 2017
Same crap, Zola brings Frei on under pressure and he just gets crowded out trying to go through the middle… just does not work #zolaout
— James Collins (@James_BCFC_18) March 11, 2017
He did not score or provide an assist but the Blues did look an improved side after his introduction.
Can Kerim Frei save Zola? #bcfc
— BCFC Followers (@bcfcfollowers) March 11, 2017
Frei was praised by Zola himself for helping ‘change the course’ of the game.
Gianfranco Zola says that Che Adams and Kerim Frei introductions helped change the course of the outcome. ‘We finished strongly’ #BCFC
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) March 11, 2017
Frei’s efforts were recognised by the fans as well
Our problem was we offered very little going forward till Adams and Frei came on. It’s finding that balance which Zola finds so difficult
— Chris (@Chris96bcfc) March 12, 2017
Sometimes players just suit each other, it seems Adams and Frei bring out the best in one another.
@BCFC you would have thought Adams and Frei would have already met prior to the game, but whatever you think helps, Zola.
— Steve Timms (@SteveTimms) March 11, 2017
To be fair this stat is a little unfair as he has only played 371 minutes of football.
Kerim Frei 9 maç 0 gol 0 asist pic.twitter.com/tFxLmuLaKI
— SporCafe ☕ (@SporCafe_org) March 12, 2017