COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Alkmaar (A)

By Ken Buckley :  21/12/2007 :  Comments (5) :

No chance of going Dutch due to time and money so settled for Channel 5.

History made, debut's made, goals scored, goals conceded in a game that was vitally important to the hosts I wondered how we would approach it.

I had got my answer within the first minute — 'Go for it'.

This seemed to be the theme throughout the game which ensured a very open game and in the Blues case a lot of players out to prove a point when it comes to serious selection.

I watched the game with an eye on how much depth we really have should injury,suspension hit hard in the second half of the season.

Up front with AJ,Big Vic and Vaughan looking capable of unsettling far better defences than the AZ one I was encouraged.

The fullback area seems well covered with Hibbert and Valente having good games suggesting competition for Neville and Baines.

The centre back situation looks less clear with Yobo departing for six weeks and Stubbs still injured.

That brings me to the midfield.

Tonight we operated with only 50% of our usual compliment and I have to say that I couldnt see any sort of capable replacement for the othe 50%.

What we did have worked hard and played with spirit but that 'Quality' ingredient was missing that is vital against both Premiership and top European sides.January may yet determine the outcome of our season that so far has given us a great platform.

However that assessment is the now,last night saw the manager introduce and blood youngsters which suggests that we are still a work in progress but also one with our homegrown starting to make a push which in turn suggests a club with a plan not just for the 'now'

All in all I found it an excellent game to watch and try to see where we stand without the nerves and the passion of a must win game.

I thought we were disjointed for long parts of the game but that was understandable with the amount of changes made but amongst this I was impressed with the workrate, spirit and determination shown along with the managers changing formation and substitutions boding well for our future.

A big test awaits us on Sunday but it is one I look forward to and see no reason why we cant upset a few applecarts.

UP THE BLUES!

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