A typically inconsistent week at St Andrews, as witnessed by Andy Munro.
The Burnley match was one of those priceless games that even in a mediocre to depressing season will live in the memory alongside the Swansea and Stoke epics.
Burnley play in claret and maybe that colour is a red rag to a bluenosed bull. Certainly the Blues started off brightly against high flyers Burnley and frankly it was disappointing to give the opening (normally vital) opening goal away. This stemmed from Tyler Blackett – who would make Bertie Wooster look energetic – leaving his man too much space to power in a dangerous cross. This was compounded by Spector (who generally had a decent game) inexplicably heading the cross back across his own goal for a simple Burnley tap in.
On similar occasions, Blues have tailed off or folded but this time they were made of sterner stuff. Twice we battled back through a cool, close finish by sub Macheda and then a Manchester City-type finish from Huws. However when Sam Vokes made it 3-2 in the closing minutes, it looked game over as what seemed like half of the town of Burnley celebrated. However, Blues weren’t finished as they pressed forward to a rendition of Keep Right On that literally brought a tear to the eye in its thunderous aplomb. Mind you, it was Fergie plus time when Macheda chested in the equaliser, surprisingly allowed by the unimpressive ref who did us no favours.
Typically, the high hopes that this confidence would be taken into the next match were dashed as we succumbed to a powerful Sheffield Wednesday side. To be honest, it was a match that I never fancied and neither, it seems, did the players against a pacey and powerful Owls team on a sizeable pitch, against a Blues side whose Achilles heel is their lack of pace. Luckily everybody below us lost or drew so the damage is repairable but it looks increasingly likely that we’re on the verge of being dragged into a dogfight. However, my bet is that we’ll finish just above the relegation slots – where we probably just about belong.
