Andy Munro watches, or maybe endures, Blues draw with Millwall.
Yet another bore draw, with the only real bright spots being a solid defence and some enterprising work by the thankfully reinstated Jonathan Leko. It was revealing that at the post-match interview Aitor Karanka praised his team (one 
real chance created in ninety minutes) on the basis that Millwall were a dangerous side as they got the ball forward quickly – maybe there’s a hint in there somewhere for his own strategy!
The good news, I suppose, is that even without the signing of the Croatian Messi we have a more than decent set of players but whether we play three or four at the back, we look rigid and constrained (and painfully slow) going forward. It also smacks of ultra caution (or is it footballing cowardice?) to be reluctant to gamble with the use of more than one substitute, in case we ship a goal and the manager is blamed. Yet no Bluenose worth his salt would blame the gaffer for making a calculated gamble and going for a win, especially at home.
For the life of me, with three central defenders, when Blues attack why can’t they commit players to all drive in the direction of the opposition box like their lives (and places) depended on it, still leaving one defensive midfielder in front of those defenders?
In short, we don’t lack the quality players but we do lack the bravery which, in turn, breeds nervousness on the ball when we become boxed in and on the back rather than the front foot. It just needs one man to change his thinking but will he? It’s not too late, as we remain as near to the play-off places as the relegation positions. Currently my glass is still half-full but I can hear the distant call of a bartender telling me to drink up.
