Andy Munro takes consolation in Blues’ FA Cup defeat.
Blues can certainly hold their heads high up high after a rousing display against the Baggies, a far cry from when we capitulated against them in the dying throes of the McLeish era. Indeed, one wonders if the Albion would have failed to hold out in a torrid second half pre-Pullis.
Gary Rowett kept the usual shape with Shinnie although he strangely opted for Lee Novak to plough a lone furrow up front – not many people’s idea of a ‘shoe-in’ role. Perhaps, just as strange, was that while Albion played a virtually full strength side including their star Berihino, Blues confined both Demi and Donaldson to the bench.
In fairness, we played some neat football in the first half., probably neater than the Albion, but we looked a bit powder puff despite all that possession. In contrast, Amechiobe outmuscled even Robbo and claimed a first half brace – one of which you would have expected Randolph to save.
I suppose playing a Premier league side teases out weak spots and although Robbo has been in fine Championship form, a converted 35+ year old full back playing central defence against the man mountain that is Amechiobe was always going to be an unequal contest. However, we struck back just when we needed it on the stroke of half-time after some fine approach play was finished off in style by Jon Grounds.
As expected, Rowett didn’t panic at the start of the second half and kept the same set-up, with Cotterill at times unplayable and Shinnie equally elusive in his Shinniesta mode. It also has to be said that Novak made a silk purse out of his sow’s ear role, running himself into the ground and causing the opposition back four more than a problem or two.
Funnily enough, the turning point of the match was Boaz Myhill going off injured and Ben Foster returning to his ancestral home to loud applause. With Demi Gray tormenting the Baggies’ defence and crosses raining in, it took some great saves by Foster and some last-ditch defending to keep a rampant Blues at bay. To make it even more hair raising for the Baggies, in the closing minutes Ziggy came on to uncharacteristically win almost every header.
Credit to the Blues fans for their sporting applause for Messrs Astle, Gardner (not sure about that one myself) and Ben Foster.
On reflection, we must remember that Blues have come a long way in the last few months with a side put together with beans. Perhaps this defeat was a reality check, albeit a gentle one, to remind us to stay grounded.
Dyer, by the way, looked a very useful acquisition but is patently no Demi Gray so the closing of the transfer window can’t come quick enough. Certainly, Blues can take a lot of credit in a highly entertaining match and one wonders whether some of the circa 7,000 fair weather fans will deign to return for more basic fare.