Andy Munro on Blues’ 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town.
As we know, there are no easy games in the Championship and away to a struggling Ipswich side was never going to be easy. Crammed full of players basically playing for their contracts and a win the only result to keep them in the relegation fight, it was obvious Blues would rue any missed chances. This was during a first half when they should have been out of sight given their superiority. However, it was good to see the Juke net, which must have done wonders for his confidence and augurs well for the run-in.
Games are all about patterns of ascendancy and once Ipswich got an early equaliser things changed for the worse. Yet again Pedersen was too narrow allowing his winger the freedom of the park. Talented though he is, he has to address this regular lapse of concentration and get tighter on his man.
It didn’t help that some of the Blues players tired and an impressive first half from Mrabti was forgotten as he faded badly. It was also a bit surprising that the fresh legs of Vassell weren’t utilised, adding strength to the belief that he’s nowhere near back to his pre-injury best.
The draw keeps us seven points clear of the drop, if you count our superior goal difference but the games away to Rotherham and at home (thankfully) to Wigan look like massive fixtures if we’re aiming to take pipe and slippers with us to Reading. Derby up next who, typically for Blues, have found their form again. It’s also typical that Blues’ final eight fixtures have been/are against teams with something to play for.
