SOMETIMES a bit of boredom is a good thing for a football fan.

We would not admit to it, of course. We like to be entertained.

Most of want to see shots flying in, goalmouth action and so on.

The few minutes allocated on Match Of The Day to Stoke's match at Wigan were an indication that finally we have played in a less than exciting match.

Given that we had only one point from a possible 15 in our away games this season, we should probably shout for joy.

There is an encouraging trend here as well. In the last three matches we have conceded only one goal - and that was in the fourth minute of injury time with a deflected Arsenal effort.

Ryan Shawcross and Abdoullah Faye make a mean defensive pairing. Just what we need