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Scunthorpe v Birmingham City - Blues Player Ratings.

Nico - Looked confident and in command. Some excellent saves - 8/10

Clapham - some errors almost lead to goals but better forward play lead to a penalty - 6/10
Upson - composed as captain. Skill and experience showed - 7/10
Tiny -a footballer, at fullback? It'll never catch on - 8/10
Tebs - liked to go join the midfielders leaving Tiny to cover - 6/10

Gray - as early confidence ebbed so did his skillful football - 6/10
Izzet - lively and involved but no understanding with the forwards 7/10
DJ - solid in the various positions he played - 8/10
Pennant - missed DJ or Mario at RB. Caused problems. 7/10

Forssell - still lacking pace and confidence. Looked better once he scored - 7/10
Pandiani - 2 good shots, 2 poor shots, no other contribution. 5/10

Kilkenny - looked like a regular first teamer. Got on with the job in hand - 7/10
Till - some very sweet football from the youngster as he turned the home defence inside out - 7/10
Painter - slotted in at left back and legaly floored a guy with his first challenge. Nice . 7/10

Overall, Blues looked comfortable on the ball but lacked ideas without it. In the first half we were happy to pass the ball around and build up slowly. The central midfield pairing didn't get a bond going but they weren't assisted by the unexpected arrival of Tebily in the centre of the park. This meant Tiny had to cover centre and right back positions.

Upson and Tiny looked like a good pairing. Both tall and strong and both comfortable with the ball at their feet. Tiny showed that a defender can take his time with the ball and carry it out of the danager area rather than blindly hoof it. The Defenders probably felt more comfortable with a vocal 'keeper behind them. Nico came in and took control from the off, making the penalty area his and letting everyone know it. Nice to see and hear good communication.

Forssell and Pandiani on the other hand looked like a pair of recent divorcees who had been told that the only 2 seats left on the Orient Express were next to each other. Rifle went off in a huff, looking for someone else to talk to and the Forse shuffled his feet and kicked the dust, refusing to speak to anyone.

Scunthorpe took the second half by the scruff of the neck and Blues had no answers; unless you count that old favourite "Hoof It". The Home side were unlucky not to have won the game, with several superb chances skimming across the 6 yard box.

A good team selection by the Boss and the result is all that matters, but, Blues are toothless without Heskey and lack a winning midfielder. Butt would have stormed that game.
posted by kwacky at 7:18 pm