I both love and hate this particular fixture.
It’s the fear of losing and knowing you’ll never hear the end of it from blues fans, as opposed to the massive buzz it gives me when we win and keep them firmly in their usual inferior place.
About three weeks ago, a bluenose workmate of mine asked my thoughts about the game and I told him I wasn’t very confident and would have taken a draw. He was much more confident and thought they could definitely get something from the game.
Forward to now and isn’t it amazing how one result can totally change things?
I now think we can get at least a point and possibly all three, whereas my mate is much more worried after the way we ripped Derby a new one.
League-wise, there’s nothing in it, with us being in eleventh with them sitting one place behind us, courtesy of a single goal in our goal difference.
A win for either side would see them in eighth, four points behind the play-off places.
Both sides have good reasons for confidence.
We’re playing reasonably well and that Derby win in particular must have given the lads a big lift.
But blues are very tough to actually beat, with them only having lost once in 13 games. It hurts to say it, but that’s not too shabby at all. Ok, there’s been seven draws, but they’ve also had some very decent wins, including away to Leeds and Stoke.
Team news then and on our part, Neil Taylor is fit, although I’m not convinced he’ll start after the way the team looked much better when he went off against Derby.
James Chester, is good to start, after his knee niggle that saw him limp off in the Wales game. This is great news.
Birkir Bjarnason is out, after having a smallish groin operation.
The bad news is that John McGinn has been given every chance to recover from his groin injury before Dean Smith made a decision earlier today. I’ve not seen any comments either way, so it’s touch or go whether he makes it.
I don’t see many changes on our part, unless they’re forced, but there’s a chance that Bolasie might start in Kojia’s place, with the latter having missed many chances against Derby.
The only news that I can be bothered about on blues’ part is that Gary Gardner won’t be playing, no doubt through a loan clause.
There’s something really ironic about that when he’s apparently been their best midfielder.
It’s that doubt about John McGinn that makes calling this pretty tricky.
I said a while back that he’d be key to this game, as it seems blues’ midfield is probably their weak point, especially without Gardner in it.
blues have players who can hurt us and our defence isn’t the best, although it’s improved recently.
But the game will be won in midfield and McGinn’s industry and guile would make a big difference. If he doesn’t start he’ll be a massive miss.
If McGinn plays, I’d be fairly confident of a win.
But if he doesn’t, this has a draw written all over it, although I still see us as favourites.
I’ll stick my neck out and go for 2-1
Grealish back post header.
2-1
Great Adomah cross for the goal.
2-1 YAYYYYYYY!
Super Jack! Great stuff
Adomah booked.
For our first poor tackle too. Typical.
Yep – bluenose ref
Just thinking it was going to be a drowning sorrows rum day. Well played Adomah – all to play for now
UTV
Come ion lads, keep it at 2-1 until half time. I’m hoping that Smith does a bit of juggling and sorts out the mid-field
Grealish chopped down again,
HT
blues were the better side overall, but 2 in 2 mins makes the difference.
Nyland has really blotted his copybook, when he looked ok and was distributing well.
He surely has to be a goner come January.
Nyland was more intent on fouling Adams than actually looking where the ball was going. Very poor.
For me number one on Smith’s list has to be a goalie. Heaton perhaps?
I reckon more likely a recall for Steer. Think SB made a mistake in shoving him out on loan.
We got level against the run of play and suddenly there was movement and crisper passing. Even Whelan ventured past the halfway line. 2nd half we have to avoid giving away corners and set pieces because they are a threat with crosses. Always an issue with Taylor in the side.
We played better after the goals but I’d still take Whelan off. I’d push Hourihane back and tell Jack to play slightly deeper in mid-field and bring Bolasie on.
I think we might as well go for it.
First 20 minutes was terrible. Once we actually woke up we looked really threatening. Need someone that can get the ball in the middle and push forward with it and slide those through balls to Abraham. Whelan and Hourihane not really looking to go forward. Maybe O’hare? His time to shine. Should be an exciting 2nd half. Cliche but next goal is huge!
First real test of Smith’s tactical awareness?
Another Jack header! Just over but how often do you see two headers from Jack in a game?
PEN!!!!
Penalty.
Just as Abraham was going to pull the trigger.
And abraham scores!
This isn’t all over yet though, I suspect.
3-1!
YEEESSSS! 3-1
Good 25 yarder from Kodjia.
I think he’s done ok today.
But we could still put Bolasie on to finish them off when they tire.
Nice thought.
Heh, Grealish gives a bit back 🙂
Pederson.
3-2.
Bolasie needed I think. We are too week defensively so need to outscore them
*weak haha
Harding booked for what in fairness looked like he took the ball quite well, but his trailing leg caught our player.
Poor reffing, imo.
Thought the same until the last replay of it. Went over the ball and looks a painful one
Ah, ok.
Looks like Bolasie might be coming on for Adomah