Blues Seek Home Redemption with Record-Breaking Transfer

Birmingham City face Wigan at St Andrews @ Knighthead Park on Saturday as they look to bounce back from the Carabao Cup defeat to Fulham in midweek.

The game follows Blues’ record-breaking transfer of Jay Stansfield on deadline day as they smashed the League 1 record signing by almost four times.

The striker scored 13 goals whilst on loan in the Second City last season and now has the full belief and support from everyone at the club that he can help take Birmingham City back to the top.

Last Time Out:

Birmingham City exited the Carabao Cup at the hands of Premier League Fulham on Tuesday night courtesy of 2 goals in 4 minutes early in the first half. A penalty was harshly awarded to the visitors as the referee deemed Alex Cochrane to block Tom Cairney’s shot with his hand. Raul Jiminez stepped up and sent Ryan Allsop the wrong way to put Fulham ahead. The Premier League outfit doubled their lead a few minutes later as Joachim Andersen’s pinged pass landed at Jay Stansfield’s feet. The striker, who ironically has now signed for Blues, controlled the ball and expertly finished into the top right corner to extend Fulham’s advantage.

Blues then grew into the game after the 15 minute mark and started to create chances against the side 2 tiers above them. Paik Seung-Ho’s lifted pass reached Keshi Anderson, the attacker’s header was goalbound but a clearence on the line by Timothy Castagne saved the visitor’s 2 goal lead. Willum Willumsson also went close from a free-kick, his powerful whipped strike unfortunately cannoned off the bar and Blues went into the break 2-0 down.

Fulham defended well in the second half and they reduced the amount of clear-cut chances that Blues could create, Alex Cochrane’s long-range shot was the most that the home side tested the Fulham goalkeeper. Overall, Bluenoses left the ground impressed as to how their side competed against a strong Fulham team full of Premier League quality. Blues had mre possession and used it well, along with executing their high press and forcing the away side long at multiple points.

The Opposition:

Wigan Athletic picked up their first 3 points of the season as they beat Crawley at home last weekend despite only having one shot on target and 27% possession. Prior to this victory, Wigan had a poor start to the season, losing to Charlton and Reading in League 1, without scoring, either side of a penalty loss to Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. The Latics’ attack has been disappointing so far with their striking options relying on 20 year old Joe Hugill, on loan from Manchester United.

Wigan finished 12th in League 1 last season in their first campaign back in the third tier after being relegated from the Championship in 22/23. The Lancashire side are managed by Shaun Maloney who won the FA Cup when playing for the club, he will be looking to improve on a mid-table finish this season. Goalkeeper Sam Tickle will be a big factor if they are to progress, the 22 year old kept 18 clean sheets in all competitions last season and is highly rated by EFL fans.

It is unlikely that Wigan will dominate the ball on Saturday and instead will aim to be solid defensively and manage Birmingham City’s attacking quality, hoping to create attacking opportunities through counter attacks.

Team News:

Chris Davies will be able to call upon 2 new Scotsmen on Saturday if needed, Lyndon Dykes and deadline day signing Scott Wright are registered in time to make their debuts.

Jay Stansfield and Tomoki Iwata, both signed late yesterday, will be unavailable to play but will likely get a great reception from the almost sold-out St Andrews @ Knighthead Park crowd.

Blues have been dealt another injury blow as Keshi Anderson is set to be out for a couple of weeks, Dion Sanderson, Lee Buchanan and Alfie Chang remain out injured.

Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1):

Peacock-Farrell, Laird, Bielik, Klarer, Cochrane, Paik, Leonard, Yokoyama, Willumsson, Hansson, May

Score Prediction:

I predict Blues to keep their first clean sheet of the season with an impressive performance against a Wigan side that are struggling to perform, 2-0.