Blitz fails to break Blues; Rugged Stoke are matched by Eck's men.

Byline: Colin Tattum

OF COURSE we all know it's not quite like watching Brazil when Stoke City come to town.

In fact, it was more like a return to the Championship fare as the ball arrowed into Blues' penalty area from Rory Delap's elastic arms and an assortment of various crosses and set-plays.

That's not to damn Stoke and their approach. It may have a limited shelf life in the top flight, but they are as rugged and as difficult an opponent as you would want to meet in this kind of mood.

It has been an age since I've seen a visiting team work so ferociously hard for so long to close space, get into the right areas defensively and basically never let up in their belief in what serves them well.

It was a tough test for Blues, and the requirements contrasted to what they've faced already on their return to the Premier League.

Missing Cameron Jerome and Gregory Vignal, as well as others, you got the feeling that Stoke sensed Blues were there for the taking.

You know, one of those 'mustwin' games against the kind of teams expected to be there or thereabouts around you come Judgment Day.

Well, putting aside the fact that goals remain hard to come by, Blues emerged from this very physically demanding examination showing more fibre than a vat full of bran flakes.

Stephen Carr, asked to lessen the burden on Stuart Parnaby by playing out of position at left-back, was immense. Scurrying, tackling, bumping, barging, leaping; he was not about to concede an inch.

Franck Queudrue, who most of us had basically bid 'adieu' to as a Premier League performer, was again inspiring as the team talisman. And another near-flawless and determinedly efficient display of the centre-half's art by Roger Johnson should not go without mention either.

Two years ago, Blues would probably have buckled against this sort of relentless opposition, never mind whether Stoke were or were not lacking in real quality.

And there would have been no desire, or perhaps ability, to keep passing the ball, keep moving the ball or keep asking for the ball.

Often derided in recent seasons (incorrectly) as hoofball merchants, here were Blues again trying to be slick on the deck and calmly rise above the bully-beef mayhem all around.

That they didn't make any headway was due to a lack of blue-chip inspiration - something that Stoke are also seeking - sharpness and speed when it came to the crunch, and the visitors' strength, discipline and high-tempo approach. The closest either team came to break-inthe deadlock was in the 63rd minute when Garry O'Connor appeared to have steered Sebastian Larsson's free-kick beyond Thomas Sorensen, only for the goalkeeper to defy with a flying save.

Carr thwarted Liam Lawrence's hurried hacks right in front of goal in a first half when Blues, after an initial rocky opening, stood firm against what Stoke had to offer. In midfield, Blues were diligent but never able to cut loose. Lee Bowyer, back after suspension, didn't get going properly and the forwards went for long stretches without decisive serv-ice.

ChristiaBenitez came on for his stock cameo but probably came off in a daze considering the way Stoke's strong-arm, but fair, treatment, brushed him off.

Undoubtedly, Blues have to find ways of unlocking the door, however sturdy it may be.

Their only goal so far has come from James McFadden's penalty and, somewhat strangely, the only game when they have created a fair number of chances or suggested goals were within them was at Manchester United.

On the flip side, Blues have got an air of doggedness about them, which they surrendered at times on their way to relegation in 2007-08, and remain keen to play with thought and patience rather than just hope for the best.

This was the first draw of the Premier League season and a little landmark for Blues: their last back-to-back clean sheets at this level were in April 2006; they only kept three all told the season before last.

CAPTION(S):

It's a man's game: Christian 'Chucho' Benitez is floored by more rugged defending from Stoke's Andy Wilkinson in a bruising encounter. Close shave: Garry O'Connor's header was brilliantly saved by Thomas Sorensen.