Usually, the pattern of a game can be seen from the off and thankfully Blues were at it straightaway in what was, to use a hackneyed but very apt phrase, a six pointer. It was fitting and predictable that it was the in-form Maghoma who combined with Dave Davies for the latter to fire home to ease the nerves of the home crowd. This set the tone as Blues dominated with the back four giving them a solid look. Excellent in the air and with both fullbacks, Colin particularly, overlapping with a substantial degree of verve.

The midfield in front of them was industrious although still lacking a bit in the creativity department and how the ponderous N’Doye keeps out either Craig Gardner or Jason Lowe is a complete mystery. Up front Messrs Gallagher, Boga and Maghoma ran riot and perhaps the only negative in that department is that we don’t take advantage of Gallagher’s many winning headers. Support is usually not even within hailing distance.

More on the down side; Jota’s performance when he came on was less than impressive and a wide player he is not. In fact Blues’ last ffit eren minutes tail-off was partly due to Jota’s greed in wasting the chances to play in better placed players in on goal. Perhaps the only other gripe was Steve Cotterill’s reluctance to bring on subs when the team were obviously beginning to tire.