Nacional vs Blues – Alternative views

Such was the excitement of last night’s excellent result we actually got sent three match reports to post today.  You can read Russ’s report here but see below for the thoughts of regular contributor Bazza and Joys and Sorrows founder Aff.

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VIEW FROM THE SOUTH – CD NACIONAL vs BIRMINGHAM CITY

I managed to get a decent stream on the computer to watch the game as ours wasn’t televised this evening. The picture was very good though I had no sound, not that I was concerned, as a previous stream with Portuguese commentary was rubbish. I would have loved to have gone to Madeira but the short notice, the logistics being what they are that I live miles from Birmingham and the little matter of having a load of work booked in for me meant it was nerves in front of the desk top.

I cannot really give a full report as that has to be for others that were at the game but I felt the performance of the boys tonight could not pass without a few observations. It looked as if Chris Hughton had set the team up with Myhill in goal, Carr, Cauldwell, Davies and Murphy across the back with Ridgewell acting as a holding player in front of them. The midfield was attack minded with Burke and Redmond on the flanks and Spector and Beausejour in the middle but it was fluid which made for a good match despite the eventual 0-0 score line. Chris Wood was the lone target man but he received good support from midfield throughout the game.

Myhill was assured and looked confident. Davies is improving all the time and I never thought I say it after the disastrous start to his Blues career last year. The defence never looked troubled against the Portuguese outfit that surprised me how ineffective they looked given that they were at home. Redmond and Burke gave their full backs a run around and their centre-backs could not cope with Wood’s strength and height. Spector looked accomplished and Beausejour dovetailed well with Redmond especially.

Birmingham were the better side and that is not a statement based on partisan sentiment. Blues could and should have won this game striking the woodwork three times; twice from headers from set pieces from Cauldwell and Wood and they were each unlucky not to score. Wood can have no excuse not to have given Blues the lead in the first half when he crashed a shot from 12 yards against the bar having got himself in good position. This was careless but he is a young striker and I am sure that the coaching staff will work with him to cut out such errors. Blues played fast, flowing watchable football with good tempo. This was in my view an excellent performance for our first foray into Europe for 50 years. The only thing that was missing was at least one away goal and a deserved win. I believe that we have the resources to beat this team at St Andrews next week but we have to put the chances we make away.

Well done lads! Now let’s finish the job in front of a packed St Andrews next Thursday!

Keep Right On

Bazza

Blues came through their first away European game in half a century with a lot of credit as they held CD Nacional of Portugal 0-0 in Madeira. Hughton went for an unconventional line up as many eyebrows were raised across Twitter and on forums as Ridge was named in the Makelele-style role of protecting the back four and with Murphy at left back with Dave, Burke, Spector and Redmond across the midfield. Dann was once against left out causing some to speculate that it’s to prevent him being European cup-tied.

Nacional started the beter of the two sides and Blues seem to sit back and get the measure of what they were up against. As the game went on, Myhill made a couple of routine saves but Blues began to get to grips with both the system and the opposition and came into the game. Caldwell hit the post from a corner and Wood smashed it against the bar when he ought to have done better from close range. Blues went in at the break feeling somewhat hard done by that they were not leading.

The second half started in much the same vein and Redmond tested out the (dodgy) Nacional ‘keeper with a dig from wide and soon after Blues completed a hat trick of head in hands moments as Wood again struck the post. The rest of the game played out without too many clear cut chances for either side but with a patched up side and our first European away game in nearly half a century in difficult conditions, Blues can go away feeling pleased with themselves and like they have a real chance to progress.

Burke once again did well and is proving what an important player he could be for us this season and mentions must also be made for Dave, Ridge and Curtis Davies at the back who near the beginning of the game made a fantastic saving tackle to stop Nacional having a one on one chance against Myhill from close range.

Overall, a fantastic performance that was only matched by the noise made from the travelling contingent that came through loud and clean on both radio and TV. Blues can go into the second leg next week with a lot of confidence and sure that they’ll be able to get the job done. The team’s confidence grew as the game went on and it shows that we have a lot to be positive about, not just in terms of our European adventure but looking at the season as a whole.

Hughton made some tough choices tonight but managed to make them work and in him, we have a bloke who is prepared to think outside the box (but not in a Alex Bruce in central midfield sort of a way) whilst also promoting good football and doing things the right way.

The future’s bright.

Aff