Andy Munro watches a straightforward Blues win at home to Preston North End.
Whilst Blues eventually won this at a canter, such a scenario seemed unlikely after a really stodgy first half-hour of football with the team misfiring on all cylinders.
That is, apart from the two full-backs, who were superb. Both Osayi Samuel and Alex Cochrane continually raided down the wings although the only thing Blues had to show after 45 minutes was a goal neatly slotted home by Liam Millar. In fairness, the goalscoring winger still looked a bit off the pace and jaded following his international exploits with Canada.
Bizarrely Blues then turned around three-nil up with August Priske netting a brace durinr a frantic period of stoppage time. It looked like there could be a goal fest but despite having a man sent off, Preston continued to battle away with Blues only adding one more. It was, though, one to remember from Demarai Gray, who ran in from the wing to curl the ball superbly past the keeper into the corner of the net.
Max Bird came on for an impressive cameo and the thing that was most impressive was his ability to get into the box, which is something Blues have been missing from their midfielders. This should augur well for the future when there will undoubtedly be times when we have to mix things up a bit.
Finally, a mention for Jay Stansfield whose non stop running kept the Blues ticking over even through the flat patches and he rightly received a standing ovation when he was substituted late on.
