This game represented an opportunity for us Blues fans based in Norfolk and Suffolk to see them in action without the added travel to RH. My brother and I saw the selection and were pleased that Chris had given the youngsters a chance, which was the other main reason for attending. We wanted to see the likes of Hutch and Batlokwa. Oh dear, what a huge disappointment. No one had the skill or desire to unpick a pretty solid looking Col U defence. But we played into their hands by launching long high balls so often. Luke Prosser has never had an easier night, gobbling up all those hopeful punts. It really was men against boys. Whatever pace we had upfront was nullified by the lack of service on the floor.
Midfield was overrun, with nobody able to direct the play or show the necessary energy. It cried out for Coxy to come on but he was obviously being kept back for Gills. Poor Rene had a nightmare, constantly losing possession, often hustled off the ball. Klass is an enigma. Occasional flashes of what he can do but appears languid and not showing the sort of energy and commitment displayed by Dru when he made a late appearance at 2-0.
The pick of the bunch was in defence where Tim D made his first appearance at CB and showed what a class act he is, cool, calm and collected. A proper footballer, as is Moore, who again showed his ability. What a great signing and we must hope City don't haul him back in Jan. Bish did OK apart from some dodgy kicking on a couple of occasions.
What the game did show for me is that Kites and Macca have had their best days. Very similar in that they have some energy and appear hungry but their pace has gone and with it the ability to outstrip defenders. This in stark contrast to the Col U no 7, who had electric pace and skill to go with it. The best piece of skill all night came from a delicious dummy when, a la Messi, he simply let a ball fizzed to him run past him without a touch and then turned our defender and left him for dead as he sped away and picked his way through our defence with twists and feints. CP must have made a note, surely, the sort of player who can unlock defences with skill and pace.
The evening drifted to its inevitable conclusion, that if we had played til midnight we would not score. The sight of poor Gard being carried off summed up the night. Such bad luck for the lad, don't think he had touched the ball until the tangle which caused the injury.
Let us hope that the likes of Bunn, Cox, Mantom and Hopper are fit and raring to go on Saturday, otherwise I fear for us in another local derby.
My first visit to the Community Stadium and was impressed. Functional but not soulless, with some good facilities. Col U fans stayed away and we must have outnumbered them 2 to 1. But to them the spoils of victory. For Chris the thought that we may have a large squad but are we well enough equipped to launch a concerted effort to reach the top six if we have to rely on some of the youngsters at times?
We drove back north hugely disappointed but, as we know all too well, following the Blues always was, as is, a roller coaster of emotions.