Mutch ado about something

It's fair to say that Blues performance in the win over FC Viktoria Plzen was pleasantly surprising.

Maybe it's because we're used to certain disciplines from Blues. Maybe it's because a lot of players are feeling the heat for their places.

Maybe it was because they were infused with the youthful energy of Jordon Mutch, desperate to show his worth at senior level, and the determination of trialist Zola Matumona to impress.

But there was no doubting the dynamism of Blues play, and the accent on taking the game to the other team rather than trying to set their stall out to be solid and not give much away.

There was slick, quick passing, forward running from the centre and flanks ahead of and to support the strikers. Full-backs overlapping even.

There's been a lot of talk about the signings of Lee Carsley and Kevin Phillips, centring primarily on their age.

Being close up to the action as we were in the St Johann sportstadion, you could not only see who is doing what a little better, but saying what.

And both of them, it was obvious, command the respect of their team mates and are talkative leaders on the pitch, passing on advice and orders.

Their movement is top class as well. Both know where to be, and when.

Considering James McFadden, Sebastian Larsson and Marcus Bent were among those watching, it bodes well for Blues.