Andy Munro on Blues’ narrow escape on Saturday.
I suppose it’s typical of Blues luck that they played Bristol City when their opponents had just hit some form – four games unbeaten and two wins on the bounce. In view of this I had a sneaking feeling that we would only draw although I only got part of the forecast right as I thought Woods would notch their equaliser.
Early on, Blues had the slight ascendancy without looking particularly impressive and it was the Bristolians who took the lead after some apparently sloppy work from Caldwell and co. The second goal followed soon afterwards, sending an impressive following of Bristol fans delirious with delight. In both cases I felt that the original fault led from Townsend giving the opposition flank far too much space to get on the ball and run at our defence. In fairness, Townsend had been playing well but this certainly wasn’t one of his better games.
I had a vision of a third goal finishing us off but just before half time, Marlon King came up trumps (again) with an excellent strike. A word here for Marlon, who initially appeared to have left his form at the Ricoh Stadium. He’s not the best in the air or the fastest kid on the block on the ground but his all round play, ball holding, playing in other players and goalscoring has been second to none more recently and this game was no exception.
I can’t imagine Chris H uses a hairdryer but I guess harsh words must have been said at half-time and Blues responded with some gusto. Mind you ,it still took a wonderful save from Doylie to keep us in it. As the second half unfolded, Burke started to terrorise the Robins’ defence and became almost unplayable as he eventually sent in a cross which even the extremely unimpressive Ziggy couldn’t miss as he poked the ball home, a bit like the awkward and aggravating kid on the playground whose only forte is goal hanging.
Down the left, Murphy put in a cracking stint and this got even better when Nathan Redmond came on for Townsend. Further attacks unfortunately failed to reap a winner but, in fairness, a defiant City deserved a point and probably finished slightly stronger as we tired in the dying minutes.
Worryingly Keith Fahey limped off with a reoccurrence of his groin injury and with N’Daw hamstrung, our midfield options are becoming more limited as each game passes. However Blues are sometimes at their best in adversity and now it’s time for other members of the squad to step up to the plate, in a final push for the play offs.