Birmingham City welcome Fulham to St.Andrews this weekend as they look to secure a third straight home win following successive 1-0 wins over Bolton Wanderers and Hull City respectively.
The Cottagers, who are now managed by former Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic, have only won three times all season on the road and they are lurking dangerously close to the relegation zone.
If Rotherham United and MK Dons both pick up results at the weekend and Gary Rowett’s side beat Fulham then they could slip into the relegation zone.
Blues, like the visitors, are desperate of a win but for a different reason. After Ipswich Town won their game in hand last night against Blackburn Rovers, Rowett’s men are now now four points off Sheffield Wednesday in sixth spot and a win is a must if they are to stay in touching distance.
With a game in hand on Ipswich, Wednesday and Cardiff City, if Blues keep matching their results then a win against Leeds United on the 12th of April would but them right back in the mix.
Deciding on who was going to be featured in this weeks five-a-side team was quite difficult for me because despite Fulham being where they are, they have some fantastic players but I feel as thought I have picked the best team possible.
So then, here we go…
GK: Tomasz Kuszczak.
Needless to say, there was absolutely no competition for the keepers spot this week team with Kuszczak blowing Andy Lonergan out of the water.
The former Manchester United and Watford shot stopper has kept 15 clean sheets so far this year, compared to Lonergan’s four, so there really wasn’t any competition for this weeks goalkeeping spot.
DF: Jonathan Grounds.
In recent weeks, Grounds’ performances have been different class and although I don’t give him much credit in my player ratings articles, I think he has been a rock for us this year.
Fulham’s defence has been a shambles this season so I didn’t really have much choice from their half this week but there were plenty of players that I could have chosen from Rowett’s side.
The former Oldham Athletic left back has improved once again this season and because of his consistency in the team, I wanted to include him in this weeks five-a-side team.
MF: Jacques Maghoma and Tom Cairney .
I have opted to go with one midfielder from each team simply because they have both had very good goal scoring seasons.
Maghoma, who has arguably been one of the best underrated signings in the league this season, has found the back of the net five times in all competitions but he could have had so many more.
He has be crucial to Birmingham’s style of play this season, not only for his fantastic work rate going forward, but his defensive tenacity has also be admirable as well.
For a free transfer, I think you will struggle to find a better one that moved to a Championship side in the summer.
Next to Maghoma I have opted to go for Cairney because like the former Owls midfielder, the Fulham man has found the back of the net an impressive seven times in all competitions.
Cairney has scored four goals in his last eight games, giving him an average of a goal every two goals so hopefully there isn’t a fifth coming this weekend against Rowett’s side.
Like the striker that I am about to choose, Cairney has been one of the shining lights in what has been a considerably dim season for Fulham and that is why I wanted to include him in this weeks side.
ST: Ross McCormack.
Lets face it Blues and Fulham fans, there was really no contender for this weeks striking position was there.
A bit like the goalkeepers spot, one player has blown it out of proportion for this weeks team and with 21 goals to his name, it would have been ridiculous to leave of McCormack.
I could have chosen his striker partner, Moussa Dembele, who has 14 goals this season, but I just feel like 29 year old carries a greater threat in front of goal.
Blues and Fulham fans, what do you make of this weeks five-a-side team? Is it one of the best that we have seen this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below!
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