THERE’S no way I’m going to slag Jussi Jaaskelainen off for getting sent off against Birmingham – because I’ve done much worse.
Jussi knows what he did was wrong in getting sent off in the 2-2 draw and he doesn’t need me to tell him.
It was a rush of blood – and we all have them. I was sent off four times in my career and they were all for violent play.
The worst was for pushing referee Alan Wiley over at Huddersfield when he gave a penalty against us which was two yards outside the box.
I’ll never forget it. John McGinlay, Phil Brown, Andy Walker and I all surrounded him and I stupidly shoved him. He went flying in the mud. When he got up he was furious and he looked to see who it was us and the other three were all pointing at me.
I’m not proud of that and I regretted it straight away but it was just one of those heat-of-the-moment things.
I know Jussi feels the same because I had a word with him at half time. But he’s been a great servant to the club and it was totally out of character.
I was so pleased young Adam Bogdan got his chance – and what a week it’s been for him.
He made his Wanderers debut at Southampton in the week and then to come on against Birmingham was amazing for him.
He’s had to wait patiently for his chance but he’s taken it brilliantly, especially when he made that save at the end to save a point.
The whole team showed tremendous spirit to come back from 2-0 down to draw and I thought we were the better side despite only having 10 men.
And what great goals they were. You won’t see a better penalty than Kevin Davies’s. It was a tremendous spot-kick and Davo really led by example.
Robbie Blake’s was even better – I’d even have been proud of that one. I took a few free kicks in my time but none better than that. I knew as soon as he got hold of the ball he was going to score and I was nearly on the pitch celebrating when it hit the back of the net.
I was delighted for Robbie because he’s a great player. He will always get goals or come up with a piece of magic because that’s the type of player he is. It also showed the manager got his tactics spot on by leaving two up front. It would have been easy to take Johan Elmander off but his bravery was rewarded with a point.
The crowd really played their part too. Even at 2-0 down they were right behind the team. I know it’s a bit of a cliché saying they’re like a 12th man but on Sunday that was really the case.
The whole place is buzzing at the minute and it was important to keep that unbeaten run going into the international break which has come at a good time for us ahead of some tough games.
There will be one or two bumps and bruises and this gives the manager the chance to regroup after a great start to the season.
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