Andy Munro on Blues’ Friday night fever at Doncaster.
After our general disappointing spell of results, I had quietly resigned myself to a decent season with some real highs and ending in a comfortable, inoffensive, Radio 2 position in upper middle table. I could then start to enjoy a stress period looking forward to Blues moving up a gear next season with Chris H at the helm.
This feeling of resignation was further reinforced when our ex-Pompey and West Ham Nemesis Piquionne scored against us yet again. At that stage the Doncaster side were like a runaway train obviously having been tipped off by Deano that we are never the quickest of starters.
I suppose predictably it was the Smurf, on his return, who was on hand yet again – dare I say it – Ridgewell style to score following a corner. This gave the whole side a surge of confidence and after the equaliser we looked the side most likely to take the lead. Having said that it took a great save from Boaz Myhill in the second half to keep us on level terms. Mind you, that was after we were turned down for a more than decent shout for a penalty when Marlon was tripped with the goal at his mercy
We hit the woodwork and I began to wonder if it was to be one of those games when the opposition win by scoring with their only chance. However we eventually got the goal we deserved when Chris Burke scored with an absolute beauty. A third goal came courtesy of King with a smart half volley and we then cruised home with plenty to spare. King is now, at last, starting to score regularly in the way we hoped he would when he signed from Coventry and when Burke is also on song, as has been said many times, we always tend to win.
I suppose that this means that Nathan Redmond’s chances are currently limited but his time will come. With Husekleppe and Forlan waiting in the wings, we have an embarrassment of riches going forward and this is reflected in our goal difference which must certainly worth an extra point.
Finally, a word for Jordan Mutch who was instrumental in many of our attacking moves – so, with a bit more consistency, I’ll be looking for another hat to eat!