Ha ha, the dark article the other week had some desired effect. I didn’t get searched when I went through the turnstiles for the Blackburn match! It looks like I picked the right match to sneak in a box of Brock fireworks, a Stanley knife, a hammer, some scissors and a weapon of mass destruction. I didn’t have a bottle top though. Even I’m not stupid enough to chance something that dangerous!
Just a small gripe though before moving on. I do not, repeat, do not, want a bloody credit card in exchange for a scarf or a hat. Thank you.
Bring back those funny crème egg cars and the cheap chocolate. I don’t mind them collaring me for a couple of quid. I know it all brings in revenue but there’s a limit to my spending power. Perhaps if you could pay for the chocolate with the credit card it might make it more attractive. Maybe I could also pay for the programme, Made in Brum Fanzine, coffee, tea, wristband, half time draw and my cheeky ten pence on Tebily to get the first goal all on the credit card? You can picture the marketing people all slapping their heads, ruing their lack of imagination. The opportunities are endless.
Talking of the half time draw, how surreal to have it done by none other than the ex Blues footballer Ricky Otto, who despite looking as cool as a cucumber and often playing like one, received a rousing reception? We boo some and cheer others, tis a fickle world!
The match against Blackburn was one of those that, despite there being not much on it, you just didn’t want to lose. I don’t have anything against Blackburn, all the recent shenanigans was just manna from heaven for the head scratching marketing people selling the tickets for an end of season mid table potential snore draw. As long as Blackburn exist, or me for that matter, I cannot view them as serious rivals purely over the transfer of an over-rated thirty something ex Welsh international. Hey Robbie, put that on your CV.
His departure was a blow for the morale of the team due to the protracted and bitter dispute that has dragged on for a few months with tedious mud slinging but should not detract from the fact that against Blackburn we played some beautiful football. It was beautiful. Really it was. It wasn’t a plethora of negative back passes followed by a defensive midfield hump to poor old isolated Emile. It was a staged build up with neat exchanges and intelligent running.
Jermaine Pennant fired some of the most dangerous crosses I have seen since I watched The Omen. We were critical of Gronkjaer when he tried to do the same but there can be no comparison. A positive Pennant is a world away from a depressed Dane. Only thing missing was the conversion of the delivery. I still maintain that our problem all season has been the lack of forward runs from midfield. The front two cannot be relied upon to be the sole marksmen. We have too many defensive midfielders, someone has to make an extra run, a late run, a run that draws a defender, a creative run, it doesn’t have to be with the ball.
Blackburn stole the lead with their first attack and very nearly plundered a second just before the interval. It would have been a robbery. We just failed to score. Simple. Everything else was excellent. Some fans actually booed the players off at half time which was criminally harsh as they had played exceptionally well.
Blackburn tried to kill the game in the second half by retaining possession and their cunning plan would have worked if it wasn’t for the pesky Bruce finally switching the conservative Nafti for Blakes Seven.
Robbie wants to go forward, similar to Dunny when he plays. When they receive the ball their first thought is to turn towards the opponent’s goal and advance forward. Too many of the others turn back when in good positions, I know it retains possession but it’s negative and removes the impetus of any attack.
Robbie’s equaliser looked a fantastic move, there may have been some Blackburn assistance but the finish was cool and calm and you somehow knew he was going to stick it away. Good lad.
Fortunately for the Blues the referee decided the game needed a winner and proceeded to wind up Heskey with some bizarre decisions. I particularly enjoyed the one by the Railway End when two Blackburn defenders kicked lumps off him before winning the free kick for themselves!
Like the goal at Everton big Emile received the ball and smashed it in the blink of an eye past a despairing dive. Friedel has been superb this season and he looked in amazement as the ball fizzed past him like an exocet. Get in there. Mario and Jermaine looked great together, a bit like me and Abi Titmus!
Two one was fair, and I’m being generous to Blackburn. The battle to avoid the drop has been between the same four teams since Christmas and despite us thinking already about next season there are still points available in this campaign and the relegation candidates will expect us to be trying our hardest against the tractor boy wannabes Norwich.
They seem to have hit form a little late, about six months too late. Their recent incredible run of wins fell apart when they lost a seven goal thriller to Southampton. The Norwich defence is as bad as American Samoa’s but they are a dangerous force going the other way. Huckerby, Ashton and McKenzie are all potent attackers but it’s no good knocking three in one end if the Keystone Kops are leaking four at the other! Their need to make the game open and exciting should make for a thriller in Norfolk. I bet that’s the first time the words ‘thriller’ and ‘Norfolk’ have appeared in the same sentence.
Oh well this week saw me hit a landmark birthday so thanks for all the cards and presents. I guess the postman got as delayed as he does on February 14th!
Keep Right On and remember, give your loved ones a hug. It doesn’t cost anything. You don’t even need a credit card.