Standard has been set for Blues’ three ‘finals’
BLUES toasted three precious points with a thumping 3-0 win over Coventry at St Andrew’s. They produced one of their best performances of the season to beat the FA Cup semi-finalists and end their hopes of making the Championship play-offs. The win lifted Blues above the relegation zone after Bristol City pegged Huddersfield back to a 1-1 draw in the 100th minute at Ashton Gate.
With three games to play, Blues are in 21st place on 45 points, one more than Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday, who are 22nd and 23rd respectively. They still have Rotherham, Huddersfield and Norwich to play but, crucially, Blues’ fate is now back in their own hands.
Here are the talking points from Saturday’s morale-boosting victory.
Grit and guts
Twenty-odd thousand Bluenoses turned up wanting to see a ‘Blues performance’ and they certainly got one. Interim boss Gary Rowett selected an XI that would work tirelessly in and out of possession and play within the framework he had set out on the training pitches.
Blues’ midfield has been crying out for Ivan Sunjic in recent weeks. The Croatian provided relentless running power and his first goal in two years.
Keshi Anderson is the third-most glamorous left-winger in the eyes of most supporters, behind Juninho Bacuna and Siriki Dembele, however he is probably more selfless and diligent in his defensive work.
When Anderson made a poor square pass that was intercepted by Haji Wright early in the second half, he charged back towards his own box and eventually dispossessed the Coventry forward to atone for his error.
It wasn’t only Sunjic and Anderson, every Blues player who started understood what was required.
The standard has now been set for
the final three games.
A sprinkling of quality from Roberts
Every team of grafters needs a sprinkling of quality. Tyler Roberts provided it against the Sky Blues.
He is still an outstanding player at Championship level and his two goal-creating passes proved it. Roberts cut Coventry open with his best performance in a Blues shirt by a mile. The frustration with him has never been related to his ability. Maybe now the 25-year-old looks fit and fresh, Blues will get the version Marcelo Bielsa raved about at Leeds.
Dropping Bielik back a masterstroke
Rowett reserved praise for Krystian Bielik’s role in Blues’ third goal. The Polish international channelled his inner John Stones to step into midfield and dictate a move which resulted in Jay Stansfield scoring.
When Bielik was sold the central defensive dream by Tony Mowbray earlier this year, a hybrid role akin to the one Stones plays for Manchester City was mooted. Sunjic intelligently dropped in alongside Dion Sanderson to let Bielik orchestrate a team goal.
Rowett wants Bielik to play the role of a more orthodox centre-back, but he won’t complain if he steps forward to the same effect again. Who knows where Bielik will play longterm, it is obvious he is the best option at the back for Blues at the moment.