Sometimes, desire wins over ability and Saturday`s encounter against Reading at St. Andrew`s was a prime example. In a game where Blues rode their luck numerous times, the god`s were smiling on B9.
Having said that, for 55 minutes, Blues were pretty comfortable. Doubling their lead early in the second period helped matters as Reading started turning the screw. With Tomasz Kuszczak doing bis best impression of a volley ball player, the visitors pulled one back and made the finale an uncomfortable one.
The Polish goalkeeper, who appeared to be swatting flies rather than catching the ball, eventually came up trumps in the 302nd minute of stoppage time with his first penalty save since the first world war.
The referee must have had a flat battery in his watch because where on earth he got the excessive extra time from is beyond me and 19,000 other spectators.
When you are under pressure, fear not. Paul Robinson will handle it in his new Andrea Pirlo role. Gary Rowett`s inspired sub came straight from the Lee Clark manual of coaching.
To say Reading were unlucky is an understatement. Hitting the bar three times, one of which seemed to go over the line, and to miss a penalty right at the death, must have their washed-out cockney fans scratching their head’s in disbelief. But on the other side of the coin, you make your own luck in football and the simple fact was, Blues put the ball in the net twice, Reading just once.
I firmly believe that this Blues side will click into shape, but when they do, do not expect fireworks. The team is built around a hard working ethic rather than silky smooth play. Blues will battle to the end and fight for the cause, but will not blow team`s away – unless, of course, Robbo shows his midfield maestro tendencies.
We now move on to Bristol Rovers away in the Obafemi Martins Cup first round. A ‘tricky` tie, they say. The lowest ranked team in it, so by that theory, every tie is tricky. Truth be told, Blues should have no problems going into the hat for round two. But this is Birmingham City, nothing is ever simple.
A few changes will be made, a few players with a point to prove. David Davis is likely to get a start and a chance to show us he isn’t the ‘dog chasing a tail` sort of player we witnessed from his cameo against Reading.
And I suggest Mr. Kuszczak spends some time with England cricketer Ben Stokes to learn how to catch?
HERO OF THE WEEK- Tomasz Kuszczak – for his penalty saving heroics
HORROR OF THE WEEK – Tomasz Kuszczak – couldn`t catch a cold
Twitter @TheWildeyShow
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