Andy Munro watches as Blues get an impressive draw at Ipswich.
If the stuff of ley lines and hoodoos are real then Blues were due for a heavy defeat at one of their least productive grounds.
Gary Rowett made several changes which, in itself, wasn’t surprising in its number but perhaps questionable in terms of personnel; Gray for Maghoma, when I would probably have kept Gray fresh for the match he desperately wants to play in. Eardley for the influential Caddis seemed an over-reaction to an unfortunate slip in the previous game. The talented but lightweight Shinnie for Toral in what was likely to be a boisterous game against the Tractor Boys.
In truth, Blues took the first ten minutes to get going but then generally dominated for most of the first period. First, Grounds was put through into his nose bleed territory to have his goal bound shot bundled away by the keeper. Then they got the breakthrough which they deserved when Shinnie was let in by a slip by the not insubstantial figure of Berra. The shouts of “Timber!” hadn’t died away before Shinnie’s inch perfect pass was superbly hammered home by Cotterill.
Unfortunately Ipswich were soon back on level terms through a controversial penalty. Contr0versial? The ref is sixty yards away, the linesman twenty, Maitland-Niles has already released the ball before Spector’s impetus on the wet turf causes him to crash into the Ipswich player. I rest my case M’Lud!
This prevented Blues cashing in on their ascendancy and on 44th minute the unfortunate Neil Eardley had to come off after injuring his shoulder. A word on the player, whom I’ve never really rated. He put in an impressive performance and, when fit again, on this performance should stay in the first time mix.
The second period unsurprisingly saw some increased Ipswich pressure but Blues still looked dangerous on the break. Ipswich brought on their big attacking guns whilst Rowett predictably brought on more defensive substitutes to ensure the point was secured.
As a refreshing change, both managers were respectful of each other, and their opposition teams, in the post match interviews and seemed fairly happy to share the points. Next is that incidental, one-off game to be ‘enjoyed’ against our local rivals..who does Gary think he’s kidding?