In the absence of Bazza’s superb “View from the south,” I have jotted some thoughts on last night’s performance.
After a promising start to the season, the results have been disappointing the last few matches resulting in some negativity regarding John Eustace and Scott Hogan. While I accept people are entitled to their opinions, and maybe some of the criticism was justified in relation to positions of certain players – I don’t understand what benefit that can have. One thing is for sure, we are playing better than last season. I accept that the Norwich game was disappointing, but we have a lot of injuries at the moment with key players out. The performances I have seen, on the whole, give me more encouragement than otherwise – even when we haven’t won the game.
When I saw the line up for last night I was very encouraged, especially with the return of Dembele. He along with Stansfield, Bacuna and Miyoshi, give us attacking options we have been crying out for. Their impact proved to be the difference last night.
I missed the first goal live, because I had some technical issues with Sky Sports, but having seen the goal afterwards, Dembele took it well. He terrorised the defenders everytime he got the ball on the left, and I really hope we can keep him fit.
Miyoshi looks a proper player, and an absolute steal for a free. He got his first goal for us with a goal hanger banger of 2 foot out! The move should be noted too, because it was one of patience and working the opportunity. Drameh’s pass through the defenders was inch perfect after hard work from Stansfield to open that pass opportunity. Really pleased for Miyoshi, he has worked hard every time I have seen him play and I think he is going to be an absolute star.
There were performances all over the pitch. Stansfield looks a proper forward. I don’t think he put a pass wrong and is willing to take players on, he reminds me a bit of our late great boy wonder with his tricks and flicks. Bacuna worked hard too and I thought that Longelo had his best game for us. The defenders didn’t do too much wrong either. However I did want to credit Beilik and Sunjic. They worked their dooh dah’s off, scrapping all through the game resulting in very little opportunity for Huddersfield.
Dembele, Miyoshi and Stanfield were taken off with 15 to go at 3-0 up after a 2nd goal from Dembele, another well worked move and well taken goal. These substitutions were completely understandable with the Albion game on Friday. We saw how important they are, and going to be, because we didn’t have the same penetration after they went off.
Although Huddersfield got one back, it was never going to be enough and Jordan James scored a beauty on the break to restore the 3 goal lead, and I don’t think the Terriers could have any complaints.
The hope is that we will line up the same way on Friday, and hopefully get back to back wins.
Unfortunately there was one unsavoury incident with Bacuna being racially abused. NO ONE ANYWHERE has a right to racially abuse anyone. What I find incredulous about this, is the person who did it was sat with the home fans. Tom Wagner was quick to put out a statement to say that they are working with the police to identify the person and he will be, quite rightly, prosecuted and banned from the club. I really hope the fans get behind Bacuna on Friday.
Great article Kev. We fans are a curious bunch. We’re not alone as Blues fans in this behaviour, but we all seem to expect the worst but get irritated even it happens. We love the highs but forget them quicker than the lows. The gaffer is right to pick some players but wrong to pick others. Surely he can be both, or neither? There’s nuances to the situation and the team sheet. Getting on a striker’s back is one thing, whenever he doesn’t score. We can all agree to disagree. But racist abuse is never on. I have always been proud of a perception we Blues are far less tolerant of racist fans than other clubs. I hope that persists, and that football truly can “Kick It Out”…
Keep Right On