The bus keeps moving. And I’m not talking about a West Midlands Travel bus, I’m referring to Gary Rowett’s promotion bus. After successive 3-0 wins against promotion hopefuls, there’s a real possibility that Blues can soon be classed in that same category.
In Maikel Kieftenbeld and Stephen Gleeson, Blues have a central midfield partnership that is up there with the best in the Championship. Yesterday, they ran the show against a very physical Ipswich.
The fact that Kieftenbeld marked his performance with the third and final goal was the icing on the cake.
Blues may have been aided by the sending off of Ipswich’s Jonathan Douglas for a studs-up lunge which deservedly resulted in a red card, but even before the challenge on the stroke of half time, Rowett’s men were one goal to the good.
Despite not finding the net again, Clayton Donaldson epitomised his worth to the team with two assists and a bucket full of energy. If the Jamaican international performs like this, he will be forgiven for not scoring many himself. But I’m sure the goals will come.
In Will Buckley, Blues have found a talented player with a point to prove. His trickery and pace was a treat to watch (and a goal to boot) and Rowett will be keen to extend his loan deal from Sunderland.
The early exchanges suggested a close game was in the pipeline. Both sides created chances and Daryl Murphy was a real handful. But from the moment Blues took the lead through Buckley’s close range effort, it was an assured, confident display.
With 18 games remaining, we will see plenty more twists and turns, ups and downs, but if Blues can replicate this rich vein of form, promotion is a real possibility.
Twitter @robwildey123
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