The Birmingham Press

Blues blunt the Blades

Andy Munro watches Blues start the season with a win at Sheffield United.

Meeting newly relegated side Sheffield United at Bramall Lane has got to be one of the most challenging starts in the Championship, with the Blades fielding players such as David McGoldrick, Oliver Burke and a few oterss. So to come away with all three points gives all Bluenoses heart for the season, particularly as it followed the disappointing friendly reverse against the Baggies.

It was interesting that the starting line-up fielded most of those playing last season apart from Ryan Woods and Chong, this left plenty of options on the bench. The oft-criticised Jeremie Bela both chased back and found time to put in some delightful crosses, and looks a far better player under Lee Bowyer’s influence. In fact both Scott Hogan and the Juke should have netted but this was immaterial with Maxime Colin heading our winner.

Craig Gardner, as usual, worked like a Trojan and with the classy Woods, he helped out a defence which played manfully under late second half pressure.

Perhaps most impressive was the working back, not only of Bela but Chong as well which meant we could afford the luxury of two strikers. How good it was to see an attacking strategy by the manager and hopefully long gone are the days when players were frightened of their own shadows.

One swallow doesn’t make a summer but this display augurs well for the season.

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