Tykes tamed?

Andy Munro on Blues 2-2 draw at Barnsley.

Taming the Tykes might sound an exaggerated headline on the back of a 2-2 draw but if you’re two-nil down after being thrashed 3-0 by the same opponents just a couple of weeks before, then maybe it’s an excusable term.

Maghoma came back into the side and with Fabrini unavailable due to a tweaked hamstring, the side would have had a familiar look except that Jukwiecz was a surprise ommission which gave young Che Adams an opportunity which, in the end, worked out quite nicely.

Giafranco is obviously still working out the players given that the much-maligned Stephen Gleeson was playing yet again. So perhaps it was no surprise when Blues were carved open early on almost at will although the pivotal moment came when Barnsley, in cruise control at two nil up, missed the chance to go three nil up which would have probably have ended the game as a contest.

Yet Blues found the character and momentum to claw their way back into the game through a well taken goal by Maghoma set up by Adams. The latter further justified his inclusion by being brought down to earn the equalising penalty. This was converted convincingly by sub Jutwiecz with a venom rarely seen at Blues’ spotkicks. In fact, Blues could have snatched all three points although, in fairness, Barnsley could also have done the same at the death.

One good thing to come out of the match was the ability to claw back such a daunting deficit and to look like they could even snatch a win. Not such a common occurrence under the Rowett regime…