Andy Munro on Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.
To be honest, I never expected anything from a game against a Middlesbrough side on fire, particuarly with our dire record at the Riverside. And so it came to pass because although Blues had a couple of half-decent chances, we were lucky to escape from what could have been a confidence-sapping hammering.
A few things were really emphasised. Jota has ‘recaptured’ his Steve Cotterill era form, Morrison could captain the Titanic but not the Blues ever again, Craig Gardner is a shadow of his Carling Cup self and Adams flatters to deceive.
Yet I feel strangely relaxed as I’m still convinced that Garry Monk is the right man for the job. Players, mediocre though might some of them be, know their positions and if anybody can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear then Monk is the man.
However, I do think the time has come to make some changes with Lee Camp in goal, the pace of Wes Harding somewhere in the back four and Kleftenbeld in for Craig Gardner. If we’ve signed him, though, his sibling Gary has to start along with Mahony /Otabor instead of Jota and Adams. It may be a gamble but it’s important we don’t get into a losing habit.
