Coach has got a real Friend in me, says Blues vet
GEORGE Friend is ready to step up and play a full part for Blues next season. The veteran defender returned to the starting line-up at the weekend, playing every minute of a physically demanding 2-2 draw with Millwall at St Andrew’s.
That was his first appearance since the end of January and was described by head coach Lee Bowyer as “outstanding”. Indeed, it was just his tenth start of an injury-affected campaign that has seen him sidelined on a couple of occasions.
Friend will be 35 years old in October but believes he can still be a key player next term.
He said: “I got into the team and we had three good results then I picked up a muscle injury, hamstring. I got back fit and then had my calf, it’s going to happen more as I am getting older but I think I showed I can keep up with the pace.
“That is what frustrates me because there were other times I was fit and didn’t play. We have got some good players here and players who have performed well earlier in the season, so slightly frustrated personally.
“I have to thank the medical department for helping me through it and allowing me to be back and playing.
“You might not believe it but I am up there every season. I have always prided myself on that. I think consistently playing would help me. I think it (centre-back) suits me moving in now rather than charging up and down the wing.
“If you don’t believe you can manage the games you really shouldn’t be playing. I focus on what is going on now and I was really excited about playing (against Millwall). I was up really early just waiting.
“I have always had a lot of desire. You savour the games a bit more and in training you see the boys and I enjoy every minute.”
Friend was pleased on a personal level with how his return went but concedes he thought Blues had done enough to win. Instead they were pegged back by a Benik Afobe penalty eight minutes into added time.
“It was fantastic (to be out on the pitch). I enjoyed it. It was a pretty horrible game,’’ he said. “I have played in plenty of horrible games in the Championship.
“When Lyle scored the penalty I thought we would see the game out but for me personally I absolutely loved it.
“I am very driven. When I am injured all I can think about is when I’m coming back. I was a bit devastated I wasn’t in the squad for Blackpool because I’d trained all week but the manager explained to ‘get two weeks under your belt’ and I did and, thankfully, I got through the game after being out since January.
“I have missed a fair few games
and I would have liked to have played more this season, even when I was fit, but I am a bit older now and I do feel I contribute to the group, whether it is behind the scenes and people can’t see.’’
BLUES have announced an investigation into unsavoury scenes which took place before, during and after the draw with Millwall.
The club have confirmed the move in a statement and said those involved “will be no longer welcome at St Andrew’s”.
Reports of unrest began to emerge following an alleged attack on a Millwall fan in Cattell Road. Things boiled over inside the ground after the final whistle when fighting broke
out in the Kop Stand as a group of visiting supporters congregated on the bridge which links the Kop and the Gil Merrick.
On Saturday evening West Midlands Police confirmed they had made five arrests and said: “Bricks, bottles and objects were used as weapons in the hotspots around Digbeth and other areas between the stadium and New Street station.”
Blues made their own announcement, which read: “The club are aware of a number of incidents of supporter disorder before, during and after Saturday’s fixture.
“There is no place for the kind of behaviour witnessed and those involved will be no longer welcome at St Andrew’s.”