Andy Munro watches Blues’ FA Cup draw with Newcastle.
It all started off a bit dismally as we were almost over-run in the first quarter of an hour with Newcastle taking an early lead when we failed to clear the ball, yet again, from a set piece. In fact, next to me, a guy started up an admittedly rather lame chant of “There’s only one Gary Rowett” Yes, the Gary Rowett who presided over our recent nil-four humbling on Tyneside. His chant, however, remained merely a solo version as Blues gradually got back into the game and, in fairness, some level of ascendancy.
Admittedly, there was nearly a blip when Legdizes (who never really convinces) came rushing out only to forget the ball but luckily we managed to clear. However, it was only justice on the run of play when Jonathan Grounds swept down the left to centre (did I really write that?) which led to Jutkiewicz notching a deserved equaliser.
In the second period, Blues continued to impress and although he was eventually subbed, it was good to see Fabrini showing his full repertoire of skills whilst only falling down on comparatively rare occasions. Kleftenbeld and Davies seemed to thrive next to him as midfield minders with the latter putting in an immense performance…clichéd but true.
In fairness, everybody played their part including the strong-running Stewart who helped to keep the momentum going when he came on in the closing stages. However, possibly the star of the show was Josh Dacres-Cogley who was quick to overlap and centre whilst retaining a razor sharp defensive edge when called upon. This was particularly pleasing to see when his last performance as a stand-in winger was much maligned. He certainly deserves to keep his place even when Spector is available again.
We could have gone on to win the game if the normally reliable Jutkiewicz had netted with two headed chances but, whatever happens in the replay, it’s good to see a decent measure of confidence and self respect restored after the Brentford debacle.
