The relief and joy in the stands was palpable, as we finally saw a game out properly and killed any chance of the opposition hitting us late. Cue the party starting as UB40 gave us something old, something new and something decidedly Blue in the late afternoon sunshine. Perfect.

In his post match interview with Blues TV, Gary Rowett spoke about leaders standing up and, after I’d made that very point about us lacking one on the pitch last week, it was hard to argue the players didn’t stand up. There was a bite in the tackle and a collective desire to win back the ball which had seemed missing recently.

Bacuna was on fire, again. Paik was commanding in midfield. Bielik a calm presence throughout. And Sanderson set his stall out early on with a crunching tackle to clear potential danger.

Rowett can organise a team, of that there is no doubt, but some of the interplay in attacking areas was really promising.

We’ll have tougher days, and against more difficult opposition, for sure. However, if we play with such intensity and fire again we’ll give ourselves a good chance whoever the opposition. Even at Leicester City this Saturday.

As Forever True rang out around the stands later in the evening to accompany UB40, it was hard not to feel we might just have stopped the rot. Well done to the club for giving us a standout day, the fans for their incredible support and credit to the players for standing up under immense pressure. More of the same please.

KRO
 

Jez Hemming