Andy Munro watches Blues go out of the FA Cup to Huddersfield.
Blues’ recent revival suffered a reality check as we eventually succumbed to an almost full -trength Huddersfield side. Admittedly, we had five first teamers out but the class gap still showed. Money might not be able to buy you love but it can certainly buy quality which on the night was there for all to see from a talented Huddersfield outfit, which belied their Premier League travails.
The first half was a non event although Huddersfield looked slightly sharper without really troubling Stockdale. Football is a game of opinions and whilst I thought in midfield, N’Doye was a yard off the pace and showed horrific passing ‘ability’, some were saying that he was excellent and broke up play…whether it was theirs or ours of course is open to debate! Either way, he was hauled off at half-time to be replaced by Jota, who immediately became a major influence in Blues attacks.
The game became end to end and Blues went agonisingly close on a number of occasions before a great move saw Che Adams turn on the proverbial sixpence to shoot home. However, aided bydsome substitutions, Huddersfield got an increasing grip on the game and were only denied by a succession of brilliant stops by Stockdale before they drew level through a Roberts own goal as he tried to clear under pressure.
Blues still looked dangerous, but extra time proved the difference as Blues tired legs failed to stem a tide of Huddersfield attacks. Four-one was a very flattering scoreline after a fairly even game but, in truth, Huddersfield always looked like they had the superior cutting edge. One can only hope that, this doesn’t dent our new found confidence too much with the big ‘un next up. Incidentally, a word of praise for young Cogley who came on for the tiring Jenkinson and showed plenty of attacking ambition and enthusiasm..let’s hope he gets further chances.
