Andy Munro sees Blues’ pre-season continue with defeat at Burton Albion.
Following a comfortable and impressive win against a Spanish top division side, the wheels came off against Burton Albion (we won’t even talk about the second string’s hammering by the Galacticos of Crewe), despite Mail sports correspondent Brian Dick dismissing the result as meaningless. Not in my book, as wins breed confidence although, to be fair, in the run-up to one of our most successful seasons some years ago, we failed to win a single pre-season friendly.
Genuine bright spots were more than decent performances from Demarai Gray and our new Japanese striker, Kyogo Furuhashi who is probably an Alfie May with nobs on. And when Jay Stansfield returns this could be a really potent attacking force. Not so impressive, though, was centre-back Phil Neumann, despite his much lauded pedigree.
Back on the positive side, Bright Osayi-Samuel looked decent when he came on and it was good to see the 18 year-old prodigy Zaid Betteka given some more game time.
Chris Davies, in fairness, didn’t seem fazed but there again, he hasn’t supported Blues for over 60 years as some of us have. One thing is certain, if the gypsies come calling I will be investing in a few clothes pegs and sprigs of lucky heather. We might need them as next up are the mighty Port Vale and Notts County!
