To quote one of Keefy's favourite words! Pass-pass-pass and keeping possession last week subjected Birmingham to death by a thousand cuts. It was always going to be difficult to reproduce that performance today, and Paul Jewell, a vastly experienced manager (including two seasons at Premiership level) is too shrewd to allow that to happen unchallenged. So Ipswich crowded us out, and tried to prevent us getting into the same rhythmn as last Saturday. They did this very successfully for the first hour. After that it was one-way traffic, and an equaliser looked inevitable. Only luck (in the shape of Dagnall's hit against the post, a stonewall penalty, and an unchallenged but misdirected Cyska header) stood between the Reds and victory. Stones' introduction increased our options, but essentially, we stuck to our game plan in the belief that it would bring rewards. And it did - if not to the point of securing victory. In times past, our response to today's match situation would have been to bring out the heavy artillery (Harewood) and to hoof the ball in, hoping for something to drop. That looks purposeful, but in truth usually ends up being "huff and puff" without blowing the house down. There's something heroic about sticking to the gameplan as doggedly as we did today, and I kind of hope that Hillcroft continue to stick to their principles like this. If we want to take it on though (and not be thwarted by our opponents recognising our style, and trying to block it like Ipswich did today) we need to add more "move" to the pass and move system. That will take us close to the football which Danny Wilson produced, albeit with even less resources. I'm not kidded that we are suddenly playoff prospects, but it's certainly entertaining at the moment, and it has the potential to get even more so. Keep up the good work, Keith and Dave.
That is a very good analysis We have to pass it quicker than we did first half. Show more endeavour. Otherwise by the time the ball has been moved sideways the other team has covered it. Whether we move or not. And every now and then passing is just not enough. Somebody has to front up and beat a man. That's what "wingers" do
Once again who are you and what have you done with our orsencart. No, seriously, I'm glad you are seeing the good work R Keef is doing.
