Andy Munro watches Blues win at Rotherham.
Away to Rotherham, in the pre-Rowett days, would have had one- or two-nil to the home side written all over it but the new Blues outfit with their consistent shape and structure are a different proposition.
The last time I went to Rotherham, I saw Blues in a dour goalless draw and even in the heady days of the Mighty Quinn (Fred Pickering) the only notable thing that I can remember was enjoying the halftime music with the Hollies singing On a Carousel. Mind you, on that note, Blues are certainly on a pleasingly winning one.
Again, apart from the previously red carded Thommo, Gary R. stuck with the usual 4-2-3-1 shape and near enough the same side that drew with Cardiff. At present, I’m on the cusp of buying the largest felt sombrero that I can find and tucking in, with Shinnie starting to become a key player. In fairness, I’m not wholly convinced but it’s certainly hats off to a man who is currently in form.
Of course, with wingers like Cotterill and Gray, we are always going to be a dangerous proposition going forward. MEMO TO DEMARAI: Stay with the side that has developed you and given you valuable playing time. Don’t swop that for being a bit-part Scouse.
Gary’s philosophy is to build from the back and with Morrison playing a pivotal role suddenly Robbo seems ten years younger (that makes him 32 then?). Meanwhile Caddis has now settled back to (almost) the form that made him into such an outstanding loanee away from Republic Di Canio. In front of them is a busy Davies and a reborn Gleeson who can both defend and distribute. In this sort of formation ,Shinnie might yet deserve the ‘Shinniesta’ tag as he plays his will o’ the wisp role.
However, there’s no sense in getting carried away, as despite two wins and two draws we’re only just clear of relegation places after some abysmal pre-Rowett performances. It will be interesting to see how Guy Moussa fits in and, if he is as competitive as he is generous, we should have a real asset.
As regards the Ziggy debate, if he wants to come back at no more than five grand a week and is happy to enjoy half-hour cameo performances, it’s probably worth a punt to see our Carling Cup souvenir back in blue and have the craic singing “Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Nikola Zigic!” However, any return will undoubtedly polarise opinions amongst Bluenoses and he’ll have to earn the right again.