Time for changes at unlucky Blues
With the unfortunate recall of Dion Sanderson, the injury of Roberts and the exile of Dean, Blues now look threadbare in defense.
Despite another stuttering performance in midfield, together with two preventable goals from the visitors, the last fifteen-minute fight-back could well have paid off if the referee had awarded a clear penalty when a clean through Aneke was sandwiched between two Rangers defenders. Unfortunately, Blues are one of the few teams in this division to receive penalty awards.
Woods had a reasonable game when he came on and so did the two seventeen-year-olds although their second goal was scored when James failed to track the scorer.
With so many injuries and loan recalls of key players, this was never going to be an easy game against a well-organised QPR team and so it proved.
The loan signing of nineteen-year-old Teden Mendi should adequately fill the space left by Sanderson. I have watched this kid on video and was impressed. His all-rround game is solid. He’s fast, very strong, can tackle, runs well with the ball, can score goals and his anticipation is first class.
With Roberts back alongside Mendi, I expect the backline to be more solid than of late, but the rest of the squad needs a serious rethink if Bowyer expects Birmingham to start picking up points.
On Sunday the crossing was poor and that needs to improve by playing either Graham or Bela on the right or left. Graham is out for a while although Bela’s injury is not reportedly serious. But he should be played on the right, not the left. That’s where he scores goals because he’s naturally right-footed. Switching from one side to the next is a good strategy but we need him to start putting some decent balls into the middle and if Blues can do that they will start scoring, as at the moment they never really look dangerous.
Woods needs a recall to play alongside James and Sunjic as I thought Gardner was poor and was lucky to stay on after a first-half clash.
I was surprised Bowyer did not give Bellingham a runout. Jobe looks like a clone of his brother and we’d all love to see if he can play at this level like Jude. My thoughts are that he will be a huge success, so LB must give him a chance against Plymouth who will be no pushovers.
On the transfer front, I understand Blues are likely to announce the signing of another young midfield loanee shortly, although I don’t have a name as yet.
While not beyond the realms of possibility it will take a huge change of form if Blues are to start climbing the table, as the present performances are just not good enough.
Aneke’s goal was a cracker and he was really unlucky not to score again at the end when he was fouled. So against Plymouth, he needs to start.
Nice piece. You seemed to have blocked me from Twitter which is rather sad. You and Blues fans are missing something. I’ll still follow you as I don’t bear grudges. #KRO
Great Article,yes good loan signing in Mendi and should link up well with Roberts,would prefer Graham as wing back when fit.Colin the last of the three musketeers was poor on Saturdy,every time he overlapped he stopped and played the ball back and he did that all the time apart the cross for the goal.Gardner was poor also and should only be used as a Sub now,James,Sunjic and Woods in midfield for me.Front two Feeney and any one from three l guess.Really need quality midfielder and forward though.
Ironic our best two players have been loanees and now we are going into hysterics over another who will only be here to the end of the season. LB is supposed to be building a team to get us promoted – just can’t reconcile his thinking. Can’t build a decent house without foundations and unfortunately our “foundation players” are unreliable, unmotivated and unclinical. We need a complete clear out and start again – even in League 1!
Bowyer has to start Woods to play kids ahead of him is just shocking and Bowyer has to take some of the blame.If as you say there is a replacement for McGree then for me Sunjic has to be dropped as I just don’t see what he brings to the team.
L B has no idea what funds he he has for this window these owners must of told LB a load of old crap just to get him in . Now LB gets all the flack but it’s the owners they need to go . LB is a very descent manager who can’t build a good team without the funds so Its going to be another relagation battle . Same old same old
Some good posts today, Alan your comment about getting rid of Jukie peeped me off. Colin had a decent game Sunday. Gardner has had 4 games off. Sunjic not worth the money. Best 2 players were loaniees ?, Sanderson with that shirt pull a few weeks ago ?. … and some one on FB said LB would not bring Odin Bailey back, he would fill McGrees place perfectly,why no comments about Castillo on here ,was ran down badly on FB ,did not attack as a wingback but only made one mistake first half, one thing from me,i have run Aneke down every time i have seen him and now am saying sorry after remembering back to when i ran Mr Fahey down one night game ,he was having a bad game and if i remember rightly he scored the winning goal that one night. Sorry you guys. KRO
Enjoyed your article Roy. Nice to read what other columnists write. Problem with our club is they are desperate to offload the high earners and at the same time get younger talented players coming through the ranks replacing them. We do not have that. Seddon and Bajrami good examples not forgetting Odin Bailey. Add Jude Bellingham and it is obvious the reliant of loans is paramount. Sad and frustrating it certainly is.