BRUM IS BLUE!

Blues were unable to make it three on the spin as they succumbed to defeat against Managerless Middlesbrough. It was a game that was always likely to be difficult but it seemed that a lot had lined up in Blues favour, unfortunately Middlesbrough just edged it but it could have gone either way.

Blues may feel aggrieved they didn’t come away with at least a point, and a point would have been a fair reflection, but ultimately Blues were just unfortunate. They played well against a team that, despite the managerial situation, are tipped to be promoted and have had an excellent start to the season.

Having gone behind just before the middle of the first half Blues responded well and were rewarded as Gray brought things level again. It looked as though we’d go into the break level but a lengthy injury time saw a late goal put Boro ahead. Both teams looked quite evenly matched but now things were going to be an uphill climb for Blues.

The second half we did search hard for a result, efforts from Stanno and Roberts probably should have been better and with the introduction of Lyndon Dykes you do get the sense that we will find a way. Blues have a knack for late goals curtesy of Dykes but unfortunately it wasn’t to be on Saturday extending Middlesbrough’s run of straight victories over us to six. I’m sure there’s likely a team out there we have a longer streak without a point against them but that feels like a bit of investigation for another day.

A huge blow on Saturday was the early injury to Paik who landed awkwardly in the first minute of the match while challenging for a header and was replaced early by Leonard. I think he plays an integral part to what Blues have been building recently, not even just by his goals that seem to have recently been tapped, but his general link up play. I don’t think I’ll be alone in hoping it’s nothing too serious, it seemed to be his shoulder so hopefully the couple of weeks off will see him up to speed by the time football returns.

Middlesbrough had clearly done their homework as Roberts found himself unable to bring much of the creativity that allowed us to bag 8 goals in two games. They seemed to be there every time the ball got to him and did whatever they could to get him off it as quickly as possible. I hope it doesn’t spell a start to opponents cutting off this attack but it will be then how Blues evolve.

If we’re looking for more talking points Beadle made sure to create a few so we’ll start with the big talking point as Beadle put gobby Boro defender Luke Ayling in his place with a shove in the chest. It did look bad at the time, almost like a punch had been thrown, but I’ve looked at it since and it was clearly just a shove. Another day, maybe even our usual standard of referee, we could have seen Beadle shown red but a yellow was the correct decision.

Beadle being in the opponents box late in the game seems to becoming a regular occurrence, even nearly bagging a goal himself, but it does leave us a bit exposed for a quick counter as Blues later nearly were but for Leonard halting the Middlesbrough counter.

All in all it was a solid performance and just an unfortunate result. It is frustrating however that many of these 50/50 games go against us, not even a point secured, in fact our lack of draws will undoubtedly impact us along the road. If we can’t find a way to win a game, we really need to make sure we don’t lose but having taken six points from a potential nine it’s a much different feeling going into the International Break this time around.