About last night...
Ok, we didn't get the win we'd have all liked, but I wanted to write down a few praises I think are due.
Firstly, as much as I hate to say it, fair play to Leicester. They came with a game plan, shut us down and didn't give us any time on the ball. They played very well and prevented us playing the game the way we wanted to. In short, a very good 'away' performance.
Secondly, I think Kevin Blackwell deserves a lot of praise. He saw that we were losing the midfield battle and made a VERY brave decision in using Quinn to change it, especially considering recent performances and reactions from the crowd. Changng it at half time, rather than with just 10 minutes left suggests to me that he's at least learned from past mistakes, took a gamble and to me it paid off. Ok, we still only got a draw, but there's no doubt that we were by far the better team in the second half and were pretty unlucky not to come away with the win.
Thirdly, Stephen Quinn deserves a big pat on the back for his performance. I think the cheer he got when he came on will have helped, but he looked well up for it and put himself about very well. His passing was better and he got stuck in in the way Brian Howard doesn't. That messed up Leicester's plan and allowed us to win the midfield battle in the second half. He also got forward well and looked dangerous around the edge of the box. Plus if that volley he hit had gone in I really think the roof would have come off the Kop! After all the stick he's had recently, to bounce back like that shows great character when he got have let his head drop and got the sulks on.
Finally, the crowd. I thought the atmosphere was excellent last night and very different to the Watford match. There was plenty of singing and the booing was reserved for the away team and the officials (as it should be!). It really felt like a supportive atmosphere for a change rather than a negative one. Long may it continue!
So, all in all, despite only getting a draw I'm quite satisfied this morning!
