Andrew Saint’s Midweek Moan

What is going on? This week’s double header is apparently heading for sell outs. West Ham of course does bring a decent following but Blackburn only a handful. So what is the reason? Could it be the two for a tenner offer? Could the Arabic broadcasters have cut off the free supply to the pubs? No it’s the Blues are going for 4 & 5 wins in a row. They are on the verge of Europa Cup qualification. The Dark side are in our sights.

Excuse me but I think I need to lie down. We would be liars if we denied that Blues fans are getting just a little bit excited.  Yes we all know that teams have been relegated from this position before now.  We all know that in 2004 we had a great first half of the season only to be crippled with injuries and fell out of the top six and finished 10th. 10th!! I’m sure we would take that now.

There is a difference now of course in that we have had our injury crisis and in many ways still have too many players unavailable. We have gone six games only with one enforced change and have hardly made a substitution in that time. We have a manager who believes in if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Ridgewell’s’ continued involvement at left back is testimony to that.

I cannot praise Alex Mcleish highly enough. I have always been a big fan and saw through the painful football that got us out of the Championship. His 4-5-1 formations were only making the most of what was available and as soon as his preferred front pairing of Chucho and Jerome were available together then the 4-4-2 formation began to bring results.

I was saddened to hear that Carsley and Phillips will be allowed to leave in the New Year. The manager wants them to stay and I’m sure do all the fans. If Ferguson or Bowyer goes missing Carsley will be straight in. Also the Grand O’l poacher can still be used as a last 15 minute option to get us a goal. His ability to hit the target and finish is remarkable. They may see their careers benefitted by a move elsewhere and there will be no shortage of offers. If they take that route then we wish them well.

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