Bazza: I did go to the game on Tuesday and although I had intended to pen my usual report, the fact was, I simply ran out of time and dare I say it, energy. The day started early with me travelling up to a property I own in Oxford where my youngest son, Ben has been living for the past few years. He’s just moved out to live with his girlfriend in Chippenham leaving his room vacant so I decided to give it a lick of fresh paint and tidy it up a bit.
I underestimated just how long it was going to take to clear the left over rubbish, clothing and bits of defunct computer equipment before I could start redecorating. I managed to get the walls painted and set off for Birmingham about 4.30 pm hoping to meet up for a pre-match curry at the Jalabi Indian Restaurant on the Coventry Road but the traffic was awful at the Botley interchange and again on the M42 so I called Chris to tell him that I had no chance of joining the gang and I’d meet them at the ground. It was little Seb’s birthday so I was sorry to miss out. They were due at the restaurant at 6 pm. It was 6.45 by the time I reached the Wheatsheaf and I called Chris to ask how their meal was going. He told me that they had only just been served. He suggested that he order something for me and to come in which I did so it was nice that I was able to take in a curry after all.
We set off tight for time and arrived at St Andrew’s just on kick off. We were outside the ground when we heard a roar and sure enough we were just in time to miss Siriki Dembele’s first goal. I have since seen video footage of the strike and I must say the keeper doesn’t cover himself in glory but I’ll take it. The rest of the game was all Blues with the performance of Dembele particularly impressive. He was unplayable and had the full back on toast all evening. He scored a beautiful second to make it 3-0 in the second half and could easily have had at least two more with a little more fortune. It was a truly outstanding man of the match performance capped off by a sensational strike from Jordan James in the 95th minute and with a first half finish from close range by the excellent Miyoshi in the first half Blues ran out deserved 4-1 winners and frankly it could gave been more against a poor Terriers side but you can only beat what’s put in front of you. Blues were very good and played some lovely football and every member of the team gave 7 or 8/10 performances.
We got back late to Baginton where Chris and Jack kindly put me up so after a long tiring day it was bed and sleep before another early start to go and visit my disabled cousin in Sutton Coldfield. Her washing machine is defunct so I took her laundry to the launderette in Wylde Green plus carrying out a few other chores along the way. I eventually left Sutton Coldfield late afternoon to get back to Oxford to pick up some of Ben’s kit before getting back home just before 10 pm. Therefore, as you can see, there was no time for writing football blog reports!
Tuesday was a great win but against a better side than Huddersfield in the Baggies, I was under no illusion about the tough nature of the task.
Albion have strung some decent wins together recently and like us won on Tuesday, albeit narrowly against a struggling Sheffield Wednesday. Their recent form had seen them up in play off place contention and would be in no mood to give Blues an easy ride. I couldn’t go up to Birmingham again so had to settle for watching the game on the telly. Going 1-0 down after only five minutes with a cracking strike off the post from 20 yards by John Swift was not in the script and given that Blues have failed to win having conceded first any of their last forty-six games it did not auger well.
However, we were given a lifeline when Miyoshi was adjudged to have been fouled in the box midway through the first half. At first, I have to confess, it didn’t look a valid decision as both players seem to slip but the Albion defender clatters both feet into the Japanese player’s shins and although it might be deemed soft, I have to disagree with the commentators who bleated on about it not being a penalty. I asked myself whether had the incident occurred in the centre circle would the referee have given a free kick? The answer is almost certainly yes so I’m afraid, harsh or not, accidental or not, it was a follow through foul and therefore, a penalty. Bacuna dispatched the kick with aplomb and after that I felt Blues gradually took control of a fairly even contest.
Once Sanderson’s glorious header from a pinpoint cross recycled from a corner into the top corner found the net, I felt Blues would go on and win. West Brom should have equalised around the hour mark when Furlong shot wide from six yards. An equaliser there and who knows? It would have been a very different game. With 8 minutes left my Virgin Box decides to deliver hopelessly pixelated images despite the fact that the other SKY channels were pin sharp! I had to revert to Blues audio for the last few minutes and therefore missed Gary Gardner’s free kick for 3-1 which I’ve since watched back on SKY Sports News.
It’s been an eventful and impressive week with two emphatic home wins, six points and at the time of writing sees Blues in 5th place in the Championship! The stuff of dreams is this but we must stay grounded as there will be ups and downs to come but the season has started well so we should quietly celebrate it for what it is; a good start. The whole vibe feels so much different to the case the last ten seasons and it’s great to feel enthused and excited at the prospect of watching the lads once again. All we can do is get behind the team, fill the ground when the repairs are finally complete and Keep Right On!
Kev: Normally I wouldn’t interfere with Bazza’s brilliant musings, but I wanted to make a few comments related to recent events, some social media stuff, and the general “feel” of the club. I previously gave my thoughts about Tuesday, so I’ll stick to last night’s game.
Firstly in relation to the game. The noticable thing, is that there were performances all over the pitch again. Last night was different to Tuesday, as Baz said the Baggies are a good side and we had to dig in, fight for the result, win ugly if you like. I was impressed with the work that Bielik and Sunjic put in. They were the engine room of our performance again. The defence were superb again, there was one mistake by Sanderson not closing Swift down, but boy did he make up for it with the goal and a brilliant second half performance. The Furlong chance was the only other chance they had. Longelo is improving every game, but my man of the match was Drameh. He has provided two assists while looking assured at the back.
Was pleased for GG too after all his injuries to come on and hit the 3rd. This brings me to my second part, the manager. During the tricky run, the knives were out. JE should be sacked, doesn’t know what he’s doing, doesn’t do substitutes properly etc. Well the last two games prove otherwise because he has nailed it in both games. More importantly, it’s clear that the players want to play for him. When you consider we have a number of players out that would in reality be first choice, those two performances have given JE a good headache in regard to picks. We look a totally different side, and I can’t wait until we’re full strength again.
There is a good feel about the club again. Seeing the part completed new stands being populated was brilliant, and when they’re all done – St Andrews can once again become a difficult place to come to.
Finally I want to refocus on the crap that Bacuna has had to face. His professionalism last night was superb, I wouldn’t have blamed him for walking away. He has clearly been supported by the club and his team mates, and I thought he got a great reception last night. Well done son, and I’m delighted you’re wearing the royal blue.
I am still angry about the Bacuna incident, so no idea how he must feel, but remember it was one shithead, and with luck he has already been banned forever from our ground.
As for the Eustace out mob, well sacking managers has really worked for us over the last few seasons hasn’t it, and as I have enjoyed the football this year more than any time since Chris Hughton was manager, perhaps letting him get on with things without moaning would be a good idea.