This is going to be difficult as I didn’t see or hear anything of the game, all info is via twitter and the forums.
It sounds like we put in a decent performances with both wingers playing well especially Beausejour. Rooney once again appears to have been an excellent support – but the man of the match is Chris Wood who scored a hatrick. People on twitter and on some forums were questioning us keeping Wood for a month, but we should be signing him up for the whole season. Also it appears the partnership with Rooney is beginning to see fruit.
I’m not sure, but I think the Forse scored our previous league hatrick in 2008. Anyone agree/disagree?
Great result, but more importantly – OUR SEASON STARTS NOW!
Updated by Russ, 11.09.2011 23:30hrs:-
Yes, Forssell scored the hattrick previously. I believe it was against Spurs. (Alan and Cas have – I now notice – confirmed it in the comments)
I was lucky enough to witness our second 3-0 home win in a row! I went with my Son, and can barely believe we saw us win a Major Trophy at Wembley last season, and this season have seen a Blues player score a hattrick. I agree with signing him up, Kev, before someone at West Brom realises his potential…
The match started off bizarrely, the commentator announced the squad but for the first time (to my knowledge) the squad on the screen didn’t match the one he read out. Looking at the screen (which I’d assumed was just ‘out of synch’) Redmond was in the starting 11. He wasn’t even to feature from the bench (presumably rested for Thursday!). Ridgewell was cheered and booed in equal measure when his name was read out. Fair enough I suppose. He didn’t do enough to be roundly booed, but I can see he needed to pay a penance…
The people around me were talking about Chris Wood. One said he was $4!t to which his colleague pointed out the two goals he’d scored previously. I have to admit whilst I rate him, I can see he could have been a little frustrating in firing a couple of weak shots and missing a few chances. The first goal he scored didn’t do much to rouse the critic, the second goal made him admit he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The third probably made him go and get ‘Wood’ printed on the back of his shirt. 🙂
Hameur Bouazza came back to St Andrews, and lacked any real threat, a little like when he was supposed to be the answer to our prayers, with Scott Sinclair. Darren Purse didn’t show up today. Presumably injured, as you’d almost have put money on him doing a ‘Watford Taylor’ otherwise.
The first half got going, and we were a little slow off the mark, Wood and Burke both guilty of weak shots. Possession was fairly even and Ridgewell looked like he’d let the transfer saga get to him, the referee made some strange decisions, such as booking Beausejour for taking a freekick (I’m not sure what else he did!). Myhill got more and more confident, as the game went on. Millwall did have a great shot (Feeney) come off the post, but Myhill could have saved it as he wasn’t too far off the ball at all. Spector had a shot just wide not too long after an excellent Myhill save. Beausejour would have been my first half man of the match. One nil Blues. And good value for it, though my son had butterflies, as a one goal ‘cushion’ is rarely enough to steady the nerves.
Half time arrived, and with it, Les Dennis, advertising a worthy cause, http://roycastle.org/detail/SURVIVE_Stage_Production/592/607.aspx
It was a pity he didn’t get more ‘takers’ when he volunteered to announce ‘our survey said…’ and you could cringe when you could almost hear a pin drop. I knew what he expected, but I wonder if he just got the wrong generation. How do you spell ‘I Err’ (think Family Fortunes negative noise)?
The second half, Millwall started well easily cutting through our midfield in some vague attempt to make Hughton pick N’Dawe. Five successive Blues corners produced excellent saves from David Forde.
As Millwall began to run out of steam, they introduced two substitutes in what is rapidly becoming one of my favourite match moments, when our commentator deliberately sounds like he’s struggling to read the Millwall players names and/or guess who they actually are. His sarcasm and the subsequent “WHO? WHO ARE YA?” from the Bluenoses never fails to make me chortle.
Davies was solid throughout the second half, my man of the match, 2nd half. Marlon King was applauded as he warmed up on the touchline, Wood scored his second goal and King was soon after introduced for the abnormally subdued Rooney.
The match really opened up then as Millwall tried to exert some last ditch pressure, Caldwell made a great interception, with Myhill saving the following save as Millwall intercepted again. An excellent header from Ridgewell was saved well by Forde. Spector really grew into the match in the second half, and when an injured Gomis was replaced by Elliott for his debut, a spell of Brazilian like possession was to follow. I’m sure there’s exaggeration in there somewhere, but the Tilton were chanting ‘Ole’ for a set of Blues passing, adding up to approximately ten consecutive successful passes (forwards too!!!). An excellent Myhill save on 84 minutes saved the score from hitting 2-1. Carr was unlucky to concede a freekick right on the edge of our box four minutes later, but it was to amount to nothing. Chris Burke provided a sublime assist for Wood to gain his hattrick. 17500 ish attended and were happy to agree with the official man of the match award going to Chris Wood. As the fans cheered the win, Liam Ridgewell came out onto the pitch to applaud the fans in all corners of the ground. Hopefully it’s behind him now. Either he’ll put in a decent shift to remain in the shop window, or he’ll knuckle down to our cause for the season. Win Win for us.
An excellent match, excellent goals, excellent team performances, two debuts, another home clean sheet, another home win, we’re twelfth in the table and Southampton, whilst still not looking a walk in the park, is not looking so daunting after all. We also have the small matter of a Europa League tie on Thursday. Fear not though, Redmond has been rested 🙂
As Kev put it – Our season starts now, Keep Right On!
Russell Dempsey
Yes,Forssell was the last player to score a hat trick for blues(1st of march 2008)in a 4-1win at St Andrews over Tottenham(Spurs hud just won the league cup and then lost there form!!!!)
Well done to Chris Wood.
absolutely right about Forsell. one with his left foot, one with his right and a header for good measure. As for the game, it was really low quality. Again at the back we look really fragile and could have conceded at least 2 goals early on. Houghton really needs to tighten the back up. Davies is making too many basic errors as is Ridgewell. without doubt the strongest part of our team is our wingers. with 3 wingers to choose from we will create a lot for the central strikers. credit to woods but we still seem light at the front. with woods due to go back at the end of september, king and the ever elusive zidic will need to step up to the plate. our midfield also needs more quality if we are going to challenge for a top 6 or 8 place. i only hope the board support Houghton in bringing in 4 or 5 top quality loans. with all the premier teams now having allocated their squad numbers, there must be some quality players from the likes of man u, chelsea, man city that have been frozen out. 5 or 6 of these could make all the difference as Houghton knows. it all depends now on if the board supports him?????
I didn’t see the game, but others have said that Ridge played well.
when was the last time someone this age or younger scored a hatrick for us
TF springs to mind v bolton 1970 aged 16 but has anyone done it since TF
and the same question for this league (2nd tier)
I think Wood should be able to stay longer as long as nothing happens to Long and Odemwinge.
Sounds like we won 3-0 today without even playing that well. Bodes well.
Great game – Hughton’s brand of football is a joy to watch – some of the balls going forward led to the creation of many many chances – but it will leave some gaps and be end to end – heart stopping and keeps you glued to your seat – let’s not complain. Everyone played well today – unsung hero today: Spector – doing a Savage – covering every blade of grass (but without the panto act). I felt they played with a self-belief today that will help them kick on. With so many games coming up our biggest challenge will be to avoid running out of steam in the last 20 mins. Wood’s first touch is incredible – it creates so much time on the ball and as he gets fitter and stronger he will take some stopping – hope we can keep him for the season – well they’ve got Foster ! A very very profession performance. Well done Chris H. Crowd watch – good gate for a Sunday with a mid-week match coming up – got behind the team – taunted the Milwall fans mercilessly. Great day out for me, the missus and a debut for our 2 year old daughter. KRO
Love a KIWI scoring a hat-trick !! Might even get a mention here despite all the Thugby World Cup hysterior here at present
Love a KIWI scoring a hat-trick !! Might even get a mention on TV here despite all the Thugby World Cup hysterior here at present !!!
Like Dave in NZ it makes me v happy to see a kiwi getting a hat trick for Blues. Better sign him up properly i think. KRO
It was a great result albeit against poor opposition.I thought we were second best in midfield and seemed to lack movement off the ball especially in the first half.Lets hope the result gives the team more confidence and that produces better performances.