From My Seat: WBA (A)

Ken reports on a ‘boss’ day in the West Midlands

A trip to the West Midlands is always very welcome travel wise but the result has to be right to make it what we now call ‘Boss’... so I reckon today must be a ‘Boss’ day.

Lukaku starts but no Distin or Eto’o in the squad. We lose the toss and kick off. Anyone with a suspicious bent may fear the worst. The vast majority of the travelling faithful did not fall into this category as the pre-match build-up built up in volume and variety of songs and chants proclaiming we are a School of Science, one that knows nothing more than a team steeped in history and sublime football with a spine of iron that ensures not only victory in football matches but the ‘Grand National’ the ‘Open ‘and ‘Boat Race’ to boot.

This is the norm at any away game but this season we are in Europa competition so, if you get the chance to get to these games, you can get an idea of away travel atmosphere at Goodison; the more we progress, then that elusive bear-pit, ground-rocking experience can be felt. It is an experience that never leaves you so let’s hope the manager and team are up for it as much as the fans as I believe we really need a trophy of some sort — what better than the Europa League and a ticket to the big time.

The kick-off was delayed a short time as the ref went to the side-line to check something or other, maybe TV timings played a part but it gave the travelling fans the chance to belt out a couple of our anthems; then he came back and off we went.

We went into our normal mode of playing it about at the back which seemed to go on for ages but in less than two minutes we fed Naismith who made good fast strides forward and found the raiding Baines down our left. He put in a good cross but no Blue shirts had made the strides and a free clearance was offered to Olsson, but he fluffed it straight to Lukaku on the edge of the box. He controlled, sized up his options and bent a sublime curler into the net. The keeper knew where it was going but could do nothing about it. "GOAL!" We yelled, "Allez Allez O" rang out. The School of Science had opened.

After the goal, WBA had a spell and we looked both good and bad in equal measure defensively. After being on the back foot, we did on 20 minutes break out via Naismith who made ground and fed Mirallas who seemed not to want to take his man on in a foot race and, from the moment he checked back, the promising move was doomed. From that point, we had a spell and but for Coleman under-hitting his pass to Naismith we may have been in.

The game now limped a bit in a sort of pleasing passing basketball type of attack and defence that got neither team anywhere and the torpor was only lifted when Jags showed that his timing is still a little off by conceding a soft foul in the ‘D’. The ref marked the semi-circle for the ball then the line for our players to stand behind. The hosts' Gardner disputed the length of the ref’s strides and paced it himself which did not change the ref’s mind one bit and earned him a booking to boot. Gardner took the kick himself and hit the wall for a corner that was ushered away.

Not a lot going on until 30-minute mark when we were put under a bit of pressure in our box but Baines read the situation well. His clearance was more of panic than guile, though, and only found Brunt on the angle of the box. His hard-hit shot hit the side-netting; many thought it was in. More stalemate footy until a decent bit of the joined-up stuff saw the ball moved from defence to attack and Mirallas put in with a sniff of a chance. His shot was with power and height, unfortunately a bit too much.

Then back to the scrappy end-to-end stuff with neither side being in any way decisive to such an extent that the faithful were quiet which a rarity when away from home. In keeping with this malaise, Coleman’s under-hit pass to Barry put us in trouble but we coped with the aid of a WBA poor delivery. In first-half injury time, Lukaku showed his strength by shrugging off defenders and got a decent position but his shot was hard but high.

Half-time and we hadn’t conceded and led 1-0 by way of a gift. We would take that, I reckon.

The second half started as the first finished – scrappy. It was about to get boring when out of nowhere a piece of play saw Lukaku in. His shot was venomous and came back out off the keeper straight to our scoring ace Naismith. He hit it over a gaping goal! As a measure of his new-found status no one berated him. Osman must have been glad it wasn’t him

We got to the hour mark and the only real excitement was when Howard went down bravely at the feet of attackers to deflect the ball out which was scrambled away. Although our rearguard was playing quite well with Stones and Jags showing improvement from previous matches and Coleman and Baines looking to get up and down the onlooker always had that feeling a rick could take place — it didn’t, so fair dous to them.

I thought just after the hour we were getting well on top but seemed to be crying out for a playmaker. A look at the subs suggested Osman but for whom? I was to get my answer in short order but not until we went two up in the 65th min. Same sort of build up as the first goal – we break from the back, Baines moves forward and plays in Mirallas toward the edge, he jinks inside a marker and fires off a right footer that seemed to lack venom but to his and our delight it seemed to go right through the keeper and nestle. Bad judgment or what, no-one cared as the Blue end went mental. Just three minutes or so later Lukaku was protected and swapped for Osman. Lukaku, bad toe and all, had done well and looked more like the man we know.

We had command of the game but it took a great tackle by Stones to keep it that way after Jags had been beaten in the air and the hosts did try to attack and probe but could not breach our defences and had to put up with their own fans deriding them. I must mention Barry who throughout had been a pillar of strength in an understated way, but I am sure his display would be more than appreciated by his team-mates.

Just five to go and Coleman gave the ball away in the box but a fine tackle and clearance from Stones saved his blushes. Besic replaced McGeady and both players got appreciation from the faithful yet Basic’s only contribution of note was to get booked.

The Olés were out now as we put the move of the match together with a mesmeric passing routine that got Osman in and his fine shot was brilliantly fingertip-saved by the keeper.

Two-nil up, well on top, so time now for the massed ranks of the Blue choir to belt out every song in high decibel that we ever knew. Not the greatest display but who cared: two-up and a clean sheet. Just time for a Coleman pass that seemed to be to the "lino" conceded a throw which brought a laugh but no-one cared. Mirallas fizzed one over the bar and a penalty shout that brought no whistle. We played out time and celebrated a well needed win.

MotM – Barry for me.

Overall, a good day. Our first win and without it being one of our best performances; a win we needed along with a clean sheet and away from home. We are up and running. We had many a conversation with fellow fans as to how the manager will deal team wise with Thursday and Sunday. No unanimous agreement reached but all are intrigued to find out. No doubt the ‘Group’ as they call a squad these days will be tested. Great position to be in though especially if the ‘School of Science’ is truly back.

I never felt more like singing the blues when Everton win and ...........

UP THE BLUES

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