Andy Munro discusses Blues’ game at QPR.
It was a case of Harry’s Rangers I Loan Rangers 0, or maybe Harrods v Primark. Rangers, relegated last season, despite busting the bank, have managed to keep a lot of their players then added a few and this showed despite their below-par performance against the usual battling Blues.
It’s almost a given that any star striker yet to get off the mark does so against the Blues and so it proved with a player with a surname that used to be a byword for Birmingham. Blues had elected to play 3-5-2 (or was it 3-5-1-1?) which is a far more enticing prospect with Caddis back in the fold. On the other hand, with Fergie not (presumably) fit enough to start, we lacked width and pace on the left. Up front it was a familiar tale although why Lee Clark sticks with Novak instead of Matt Green defies belief.
On the Shinnie conundrum, I remember that when Gazza burst on the scene, playing in the hole behind a forward became the fashion at a junior level and was a godsend for somebody not good enough to boss midfield but not pacey or physical enough to play as an out and out striker. One wonders if Shinnie falls into that category as he also missed a golden opportunity to put Blues in command.
Certainly Blues deserved something and should have probably had a penalty when Spector seemed to be fouled. However, playing moneybags Rangers away from home is a bit like playing the Championship version of playing Manchester United in terms of refereeing decisions.
Obviously, it is rumoured that Murphy, Ziggy and Aswante are all nearing fitness which will be a real bonus with Fergie and Murphy on the left, a mouthwatering prospect. Ziggy has to earn his wages but who’s the best person to partner him is still a matter for debate. One thing is certain, and that is we could do with points on the board against an in-form Clarets side but I don’t think that many Bluenoses will be holding their breath.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
-If Ziggy is fit who would you put up front with him or would you play him as an ‘impact’ sub?
– If we play four at the back ,Robbo or Murphy?
– Shinnie or Scott Allen?