Blues never cease to amaze me. We allow Stoke to run all over us, go 2-0 down, get it back to 2-2 looking the better side and then throw it away with a silly goal. Defensively we looked all over the place and nothing like last season.
Today we go to one of the Champions League place contenders, and I have to be honest, I didn’t expect anything. HOWEVER we put on a FANTASTIC defensive performance and eeked out a point.
Tevez did have the ball in the net, but it wasn’t allowed as the official decided he’s used his hand deliberately. I’m not sure, but even if he didn’t, it’s nice for a break to go for us. Foster did very well, and appeared to marshall his defence with far more authourity than previously. He was the Blues MOM.
Up front we didn’t do that much, although oddly I thought we looked more balanced with the addition of Bowyer and Hleb.
Manchini took Tevez off and bought Barry on with ten minutes or so to go, the Man City fans DIDN’T like that!
Over all a great point, well played Blues. Only Chelsea next, so we should be ok there!
Kev
Agreed – mystifying! But does anyone else think the best thing that happened to us was we took Zigic off and had someone up front who could better receive the ball? I can’t understand why McLeish doesn’t at least try Kevin Phillips out at the moment…how many times over the last 2 seasons has he helped us out with a single goal that was the difference between 1 and 3 points? Don’t get me wrong – I believe everyone deserves a chance to settle in (Zigic) and presumably AM thinks he takes attention away from Cameron Jerome and others. But honestly – can anyone say he looks anything more than a Championship player right now? Jerome with Hleb behind looked instantly more exciting and penetrative. Now add Phillips in for 30 mins and at least see what happens. It couldn’t be any worse than our predictability right now!
All in all, though, an amazing defensive display today and some good movement in midfield I thought. We’ll miss Gardner, but Bowyer did look pretty up for it again. Even Fahey has found his shooting boots again!
Encouraging signs…
Maple_blue , I agree about the Phillips thing , it’s so bloody obvious , he’s still capable of scoring anywhere,at any time in any match !….. and as you say , THAT can be the difference . Just give him 25 minutes at the end of every game week in week out , and we will be the better for it. I don’t agree with your comments about Zigic though , you’re way off the mark , Championship standard ?….. NPower league 2 at the very best , a total complete no hoper in every department , although I suppose he could change the light bulbs in the dressing room .