What a game last weekend? I was that convinced that Blues had bagged all three points that when half time arrived I was planning this article during it.
We saw a struggling Blues side net a whole three goals within the space of thirty minutes, I couldn’t believe the football, I’m sure we will all agree, it was thrilling…Mario Melchiot was playing more of an offensive role than anyone in the team, it was really great to witness.
Couldn’t be better…2-1 up, then Mr Inspirational, on his return from injury, netted home quite literally, well okay, ex-home for the picky readers. I can just picture how our fans internationally were looking - feeling relatively smug, of course, what we would call ‘quietly confident’ but even while that Sunday afternoon’s halftime was the most relaxed it has been for a while, there was still a negative vibe wasn’t there? Just lurking around one’s body, a feeling of: ‘this is Blues, are they going to let this lead slip away?’
The game was great to watch, just to see Blues score three goals was great. I guarantee if someone said to you would you take 3-3 this weekend you’d say ‘yes’ and yes, I would have too.
To the relegation battle that is before us this weekend, maybe not as crucial as I’ve just put it, but if Blues don’t get their act together every game will become relegation based, games where we are scrapping for points.
Blues face a team with a lot of confidence this weekend, after the Canaries picked up their first win of the season at their home, Carrow Road, they beat Southampton 2-1.
In my opinion Blues would have took last weekend as two points lost as opposed to one point gained after being 3-1 up at halftime. Yes, there will be confidence there in terms of goals, but maybe just a bit of pain or upset from last weekend, I just hope Bruce and Black has sorted and organised our well known ‘solid defence’ for this weekend’s encounter.
Blues are looking strong with the return of Skilful Dunn, and Workaholic Morrison. Darren Anderton is impressing after a difficult injury past, and Sav seems to be back to his usual self – a self’ I need not explain. The situation with big Emile and Stanley is to be confirmed meanwhile, Muzzy is back for this weekend, after serving a one-match ban for the “red hand” offence against Everton. With these players coming back, Blues all of a sudden look a lot stronger with a better ‘match changing’ bench, which when a game isn’t going your way is paramount.
The players have had long enough to settle and gel together, we now need to push on, put the past behind us and fight our way through the clubs in our way of mid-table; starting this weekend against the Canaries, yes, it will be difficult…
…they have big threats in Damien Francis and Darren Huckerby who both have four goals in their ‘goal-bag’ so far this season, and I’m sure they’re hungry for more, not only for their own pleasure but more so for the safety of Norwich City Football Club.
Norwich has a mini crisis between the sticks. Number 21, Darren Ward is ready to make his first start this weekend and feels he has the experience to rip off a bench jacket and pull on a canary goal keeping jersey and play successfully in the premiership on a regular basis. Norwich’s number one, Robert Green is doubtful with a dead leg and Paul Gallacher will definitely be sidelined with an ankle injury. Other than that Norwich look to bring the team that beat Saints last weekend to Brum…oh, and while I remember ‘Delia, please don’t forget the Christmas pudding – Sav likes it, and Upson, and Emile loves it!’
Blues desperately need the win this weekend, we could do with three points just to get us going on a nice run, that hopefully will see us climb quickly up the table and try, yes try to chase the Vile.
I think Norwich will give us a good game, but with their top keeper out, and Blues with a rather quick and skilful squad available for selection Blues should get a result.
I see this game as a magnet, we’re the north side, and Norwich is the south side…the ball being a south too, silly picture I know, but I just think Blues will have the rub of the green and take all three points, we’re starving for them, come on boys. Home win.
Contact Leigh direct: bcfcleigh@aol.com