Here is another offering from Dale

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Scrolling across the midfield quartet I noticed a quality in a player that the Blues sides of old had previously lacked. A Ball player. A midfielder who sits in the centre of the park like a Rottweiler chained to a bench, who drifts no wider than the centre circle but can play football.

Barry Ferguson has come under criticism during his fifteen year career but surely nobody can deny the Glaswegian the praise he is rightly receiving. Since joining the Blues Ferguson strikes me as a player who loves the ball at his feet. Whenever any of our back four have the ball, he will appear demanding it, allowing him to dictate the play. He loves to pick a pass and will often see him take the ball on the half turn and look to get us playing, either by spreading the ball out wide, or looking for the front two’s feet. That said, he hasn’t lost his nasty side.

Ferguson would repeatedly feature in the old firm derby’s as a player similar to that when the highlights are shown at the end of the programme, will be seem flying into a tackle as a gritty oasis song plays out. Granted not all of them are timely, neither complies with sportsmanship but he was there. Full bloodied and ready for battle. He relishes a challenge and loves the physical side of the game which compliments his fellow midfielders who’s strengths perhaps lie elsewhere (except Bowyer who shares the satisfaction of a crunching tackle).

In a weird way, Ferguson in my view is “unleashed” at the opposition but surprises many with his footballing ability. Take nothing away from Lee Carsley or Damien Johnson, they too can “put it about” in the middle of midfield, I just feel that at this level Ferguson adds another string to out bow. Not only can he break up attacks from Premier league sides but he can launch one of our own. Lee Bowyer’s recent run of form has seen him score goals, appearing late on the edge of the box, running from deep. Barry Ferguson has allowed Bowyer to do this and with some clear advice from the gaffer (McLeish) Bowyer has obliged and now appears as our top goal scorer. Whilst Bowyer is out hunting, Ferguson protects the house and kids.

Ferguson claimed when joining the Blues he had “unfinished business” in the premier league. His performances have been that of Jekyll and Hyde, tough tackling combined with elegant passing has cemented his place in the starting line up. You can imagine the likes of Ferguson, Bowyer and the ever present Roger Johnson during half time at the DW stadium. Couple that with the sinister side of Big Eck and you have yourself a winning mentality that saw off an inconsistent Wigan side.

For me, Ferguson has been a solid, assuring and dominant force in the heart of the blues that epitomises out approach to games. Let’s hope he can continue to shut the door on the likes of West Ham and Blackburn during the next few weeks!!!

Dale Moon