LATEST: A Surprising Rating Of Birmingham City Star After Match Victory, Coach In Silence

Birmingham City continued their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town at the Croud Meadow on Saturday. Jordan James in the first half and then Lukas Jutkiewicz in the second period sealed a cosy win with plenty of classy displays.

It was a strong first XI sent out by Chris Davies, in front of a healthy away following at the home of one of their League One rivals to come in the new season. That line up included run-outs for new signings Alex Cochrane and Willum Willumsson, while the latest recruit Christophe Klarer was in attendance too, watching his new colleagues.

There were some positive early impressions of Willumsson, who played a couple of enticing through balls over the course of his 45-minute run-out. The likes of Krystian Bielik and Paik Seung-ho, international talents of course, demonstrated their quality and appeared a cut above their opponents.

Blues took the lead midway through the first half. It was a lovely move, constructed as a result of Shrewsbury’s sloppiness in their own defensive third. Paik began the move and eventually the ball ran to Ethan Laird, who in turn set Koji Miyoshi away down the right. His pull-back was sent goalward by James, and although the first attempt was blocked, the Welshman hammered in the rebound.

Salop thought they’d equalised when Jordan Shipley converted at the back post, only for the flag to go up. Blues were relieved again in the second half when the same flag denied George Lloyd, who thought he’d levelled from close range following a corner. Blues, though, should’ve been further ahead anyway at that stage after Miyoshi passed who a golden chance.

Striker Alfie May came close from a dead ball when he bent a free kick wide of the post, but it was his replacement Jutkiewicz who was in the right place in the right time to convert Romelle Donovan’s cross.

Birmingham City (4-2-3-1)

Allsop 7

Played one curling ball from right to left for Hansson which very few in the ground would have seen in that split second. Very little to concern himself with otherwise in his run-out, aside from picking the ball out of the net for Shipley’s offside goal.

Laird 7

Very eager to get forward. Spent most of his time in the opposing half and played a hand in the lead up to James’ opener. His own final ball can be better. Took a whack to his mouth at the beginning of the second half, moments after teeing up Miyoshi with a cushioned header – the playmaker should’ve capitalised.

Bielik 7

Just class. Won headers, was late in the centre circle with one challenge but he was otherwise a calm head at the back who picked his passes and often won his challenges.

Sanderson 7

Played on the left, which you wouldn’t normally associate with Sanderson, but he applied himself well and didn’t give Shrewsbury’s leader of the line George Lloyd much of a sniff. Played one excellent cross-field ball to Laird in the first half and repeated the feat second.

Cochrane 7

Eager to impress? It might just be Cochrane’ general application, but he was very busy throughout the first half. He made runs into the final third, came inside with the ball and carried it forwards, talked Emil Hansson through the game and displayed a touch of quality.

Paik 7

Another player who, if he remains at Blues this summer, will be a serious weapon in League One. Fired one dead ball into the arms of the goalkeeper but in open play he was just too good, too often for his Shrewsbury opposing numbers. Kept things simple centrally and showed good strength on the far side to maintain possession.

James 6

Took his goal, eventually, very well. Will he still be here at the end of the summer? Who knows, but if he is it’ll be Chris Davies’ gain. Flashes of what all at Blues know he is capable of, with more inevitably to come with three more friendlies on the horizon.

Willumsson 7

You can’t miss him, with his wavy locks and towering frame. Willumsson, who only signed on Friday, started in the number ten role here and completed 45 impressive minutes. There were a couple of through balls which cut open the Shrewsbury defence which caught the eye and a Cruyff turn in the centre circle showed quick thinking. He was vocal, too, and covered a lot of ground.

Hansson 6

First touch let him down at the beginning of the game, when he was asked to bring down aerial balls under his control. Has a genuine turn of pace which’ll see him approach the by-line often, you’d imagine, heading into the season. Relentless with his running but delivery can get better.

Miyoshi 6

In and out of the game in the hour he spent playing. Miyoshi likes to drift as a ten but was utilised out wide here. He set up James’ goal in the first half and also featured in another stylish team move.

May 6

Blues’ new marksman is a proven scorer of goals at this level but he didn’t have too many openings here. As close as he came was when he bent a free kick just wide of the far post from the edge of the box. Still gathering an understanding with his new teammates in the final third, many of whom are new to the club themselves, but there was encouragement.

Substitutes

Peacock-Farrell (for Allsop 45)

Decisive when he had to be. Came and punched one corner clear and calm with his feet.

Dembele (for Willumsson 45)

Bright to begin with. Might’ve done better when receiving a ball back from Miyoshi and curling over the bar from the edge of the box. Composed to slip in Donovan for Jutkiewicz’s goal.

Roberts (for James 62)

Played deeper and was very comfortable on the ball, dropping deep to collect from the young centre halves and breaking the press in the process. Nice cameo.

Fogarty (for Sanderson 62)

Booked for a little nudge on the Shrewsbury attacker who earned his side a free kick, but Fogarty was very talkative throughout and disciplined in his position.

Pendleton (for Laird 62)

Filled in at right-back for the final half hour, was attentive at a time when Shrewsbury might’ve got on top after the wave of substitutions.

Khela (for Bielik 62)

Assured at the back, using his body well and remaining calm under pressure. Loan up north looks to have been beneficial.

Home (for Cochrane 62)

Played at left-back here and applied himself very well, playing one forward pass which might’ve come to more.

Donovan (for Paik 62)

Nice run and assist for Jutkiewicz’s goal.

Anderson (for Hansson 62)

Was involved, pitching up on both sides of the pitch across his half hour on the pitch. Combined with Dembele.

Hall (for Miyoshi 62)

A quieter cameo for Hall, who could prove to be a real dangerman in this league with his injury woes behind him.

Jutkiewicz (for May 62)

Couldn’t miss when teed up by Donovan.