Andy Munro watched Blues go out of the League Cup on Tuesday evening.
It was a typical early League Cup scenario with a Bournemouth B side playing a weakened Blues side and illustrating the difference of strength in depth.
Early on, Blues looked more dangerous with the lightning quick Vassell up front, some great trickery by a rejuvenated Maghoma and Bramall, and Nsu raiding down both sides. In fact, it all looked set fair when Kleftenbeld scored and then Blues nearly made it two nil when Vassell was far too quick for the Bournemouth defence but was foiled by a last ditch goal mouth clearance.
However, Bournemouth ominously bossed midfield and as soon as Vassell and Nsu limped off with injury, the Cherries took second half control. To be frank, it was a bit of a puzzle when we went a goal down and Cotterill was left on the bench whilst Davies was struggling badly, a comparative passenger either through injury or just fatigue.
Bringing on Robinson seemed to suggest we were only interested in losing by the odd goal instead of going for it. Of course, the substitution of Vassell for Jutkiewicz didn’t help as the latter gave confirmation that he is, at best, a lower mid-table Championship striker.
Bright spots were Vassell when he was on, Kuscak, Maghoma, Kleftenbeld and Bramall. The less said about Gleeson, Davies and Shotton the better. Harry wants to play 5-3-2 but to do so, he probably needs another centre back and an influential midfielder. Up front, any two from Sam Gallagher, Isaac Vassell and Che Adams is an exciting prospect. However patience is needed while six or seven players are bedded in amongst the maelstrom of injuries.
