COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Wolves (H)

A game of two halves saw almost 38,000 leave disappointed at the end as the Blues failed to see out a game that really should have been there for the taking.

First home game of the season and everyone up for it. The ground bedecked with black and white images of times gone by to the present that would have pleased ?Dr Everton? no end. One small or maybe greater moan I heard was for the picture depicting Barmby but, hey, he is part of our history. The walk to the ground was full of anticipation and snatches of conversation on receiving the text message from the club with today?s line up suggested a wholesome win considering the wealth of talent available to the manager.

Football is never quite like that but in the first half the display put on suggested nothing more than a home win as the Blues dominated with the midfield being neat and tidy if not over forceful except for Cahill who was a menace and a danger to Wolves at all times.

In that first half Bilyaletdinov had three good chances to open our account but his normal deadly finish was missing as he contrived to take to much time and his finish on each occasion was wayward. Heitinga ever eager to push on put in a superb 25 yarder that the keeper tipped over with some agility and aplomb. Just when I was thinking a goal may never come and with just 2mins to half time Arteta wormed his way into the box and was upended. "Penalty!" yelled the faithful but the ref, Mr Mason, ruled the offence was on the edge of the box, most present saw it as 2 yards inside but only the ref?s view mattered.

The argument was rendered irrelevant as Arteta?s free kick hit the wall and the outstanding Cahill was first to pounce and with an adroit turn hammered the ball into the roof of the net. Pandemonium and relief rang out in equal measure. The Blues saw out the half in professional manner by stroking the ball about across the back and midfield awaiting the H/T whistle.

The conversation at the break was of some satisfaction although most agreed the score line should have been more but the expectation was for more to come.

The second half started with the Blues in control but looking a little unsure whether to stick or twist and ultimately doing neither. There was a feeling of not wanting to take up the offer of a second goal more than one of protecting what we had and from that point Wolves upped their game certainly in a physical sense and the Ref. let a lot go which annoyed both sets of fans in equal measure.

Without looking dominant we were managing to stay strong and but for the inexperience of Beckford we could well have put the game to bed when a quick counter attack saw Beckford stride on goal accompanied by a great support run from Heitinga. Beckford took the wrong option and tried to beat his man and was robbed with ease which left Heitinga flailing his arms high as the simple ball to him left him one-on-one with the keeper, chance gone and on the 70 min mark our manager made the first change.

Saha for Beckford and what a disaster that turned out to be as just 2 mins after coming on the Blues attacked in force but King Louis made a mess of it and got caught in possession when he shouldn?t and Wolves broke and just three touches of the ball saw our out of position rearguard left helpless as Doyle fed Blake who had the simple task of side footing home to leave the ground as silent as the grave. The manager gave it a further ten minutes before bringing on Fellaini for Heitinga and Osman for Bilyaletdinov but the best we could muster until final whistle was a header from Saha that landed on top of the net.

Another frustrating day for Blues fans and the walk back from the ground was rather sombre. Overall I thought the hype of ?Best squad for years? is weighing heavy on the players as most of the game contained disjointed football, some hoofball, some joined up stuff but none of it the confident mode that makes a statement or puts the fear of god into the opposition. Arteta given the captains armband was neat and tidy but without ever dictating or being a mid-field force. Pienaar did plenty of running without an end product and Beckford looked well short of a Premiership striker to me.

All over the pitch I expected better from players who in the past have shone but these last two games seemed no more than adequate. For me our plusses were Cahill who played like Cahill and was a constant threat and would have been even better with more support. Heitinga and Hibbert both had games you would expect to be the norm at this level but the rest were in my view lacking in application and desire with perhaps Distin being the best of that bunch.

Titles have been won from such a position as we are in and I hope we can achieve that but I don?t quite know what it is but after our first two games I get this feeling that there is something missing, something not quite right and I have not a clue what it is so over to you Mr Manager, sort it and bring a smile to our faces. Villa away and Man Utd at home should be a fair test of getting the team and tactics right. Go to it Moyesie.

UP THE BLUES

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