Andy Munro reports back from Blues’ successful trip to the north-east.

Lee Clark for the next England manager anyone?

You would have thought so given some of the generous radio phone-in comments. However, credit where it’s due and in exacting circumstances, the Geordie boy has salvaged some semblance of pride to BCFC. Perhaps if he went to elocution lessons and learnt to look the camera in the eye, he might yet become an inspiration rather than an embarrassment, at least in presentational terms.

He rightly stuck with a formation that included the Derby match super subs and played two up top against a Middlesborough side whose form reflected the Tony Mowbray ‘look’. Early on, it seemed as if Blues’ positive formation might produce early dividends despite a blow when the injury stricken Spector departed the field of play. However his replacement, forgotten man Keith Fahy, filled in admirably and showed some of the guile that Blues have missed in the centre.

With such an attacking line up, Blues only fielded one winger(Redmond) balanced by Wade Elliott adding to the midfield mix of Morrison and Fahy. Morrison can still look a little lightweight but undoubtedly has some sublime skills. Redmond, for his part, was a constant menace to the Smoggies defence whilst up front, Wes Thomas reverted to living up to his ‘Barn Door’ nickname although at least he was quick enough to get in the positions to miss.

Goalless at halftime and one wondered if it was going to be one of those games when failing to score when in the ascendancy would come back to haunt us. Predictably Boro piled on the pressure with corners proving a bit of a nerve racking ordeal to our (comparatively) vertically challenged team, Ziggy excepted. Mind you, it was Ziggy who was on the mark to earn at least some of his grain store of corn when he prodded home, in inimitable Ziggy style, following good work from the ever impressive Shane Ferguson.

An excellent win and perhaps some further debuts from up and coming starlets beckon now Blues fans can maybe start to search their lounges for their pipes and slippers.

Food for thought:

• Does Shane Ferguson look Lee Clark’s best signing?
• Is Ravel Morrison strong enough to play as one of a central midfield two?
• Should we play two wingers and therefore find room for Burke?

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