STAR MAN MATTIE POLLOCK WatfordHAVING A BALL: Emmanuel Dennis celebrates with Ismael Kone PICTURES: Alan Cozzi BIRMINGHAM assistant manager Mark Venus insisted he could not fault the effort of his players as they went down narrowly. “I can’t protect the players for Tuesday [1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough], but I can protect them today,” he said. “I thought they gave everything on the pitch. “We talk about missing a little bit of quality, that was evident again today, but as far as energy, intensity, desire, purpose and team spirit that was all ther...