Blues notch fifth win in a row

Having challenged the Bluenose nation to suggest when we will go 12 games unbeaten which Big Eck achieved I had few suggestions offered. Chris Hughton has run up 5 straight wins, 4 of which were away. That equals the 5 straight wins Blues enjoyed two years ago and the away run is unique,

Unlike many of our readers I am yet to be convinced we are better off without McLeish. However Chris Hughton is beginning to win me over. It’s not about formations or being positive or negative. At 1-0 Chris whipped off both his strikers and went 4-5-1 to hold onto a lead against a side who should have been buried by half time. It was typically McLeish but whereas last year’s wide men would have gone deeper and deeper. Chris Burke on the other hand works back but is still willing to venture forward, particularly when in possession. This led to the second goal when a little dink over the defence from Carr beat the offside and the Scot slotted past David James to seal the points.

Blues dominated the hapless Bristol throughout the first half. Numerous corners seemed to pressurise the home team but nothing seemed to fall in the way of a Blues man. After one such re-start Wood smashed a pile driver at James who could not hold on. The ball fell to King who appeared to have a tap in. His shot was blocked by brave defending.

Woods rounded James but the angle was too much. It was a break from Beausejour on the left who cut in and picked out Burke who did have a tap in on the far post.

Myhill who once fell completely, allowing Campbell-Rice a free run on goal was saved from embarrassment when the winger found the side netting.

He was called into action after 20 minutes when Maynard’s volley looked goal bound but Myhill managed to tip the ball onto the bar. In injury time the same player fired a low drive which Myhill did well to parry. Those kept the score at 1-0, moments after Zigic had failed to beat James from 2 yards after a perfect Burke cross.

This was a very impressive showing from Blues who kept their opponents at arm’s length, won with a bit to spare and managed to save energy for the next three games all at home. Hughton has shown one aspect of management that leaves McLeish well in his wake. That is the ability to organise and prioritise this torturous run of games. True he missed out on the Carling Cup but looking at City’s recent results 2-0 loss looks respectable.

Winning the games in hand (Leeds, Burnley and Hull) would project Blues into second place.  Winning is becoming a habit and there is no reason why Blues can’t get themselves into the shakeup.

A month ago we were considering avoiding relegation, Hughton has shown we can expect a little better than that.

By Alan Watton

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