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It’s time for Rowett to utilise his options

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On Saturday, Blues` substitute bench included Che Adams, Jacques Maghoma, Greg Stewart and Diego Fabbrini – players full of attacking mentality and flair. After going a goal behind in the last two games, this type of player has been introduced from the bench and helped Blues claw back two draws.

It`s no secret that Blues look a far better side with a bit of bold thinking. I can`t blame Gary Rowett for choosing a bit of protection over throwing the kitchen sink, but there is a happy-medium.

Away from home, that protection in the middle of the park is essential. The likes of Stephen Gleeson, Maikel Kieftenbeld, David Davis and, when he`s fit, Robert Tesche, offer Blues that bit of stability. But we don`t need to play three in there. Diego Fabbrini, Che Adams and Reece Brown all offer viable option for a ‘number ten` role. Of course, deploying that system would mean sacrificing a striker and to be fair to Rowett, he selected two up top at Huddersfield.

Last season, Rowett’s blueprint heavily involved Jon Toral at playing in the hole and Blues were a different machine when he played. Now we have the options to do something similar.

When Blues have the balance of the two holding midfielders and a number ten behind either the Duke or The Don, we look a much better side. As Rowett admitted in his post-match interview on Saturday, we need to attack with a lot more quality.

Fabbrini staked his claim despite his tendency to go down too easily. The Italian was a marquee signing at the time and has waited patiently for a chance. With Lukas Jutkiewicz in a rich vein of form, imagine the damage he could do with some decent service.

Davis has done a sterling job in any position he has played in but he is not a natural wide player and for all the work-rate and breaking up of play he does, Blues lack a runner and a deliverer of crosses from the opposite side to David Cotterill. Davis should be the first name in the middle of the park alongside one of the aforementioned three.

When at home, a second striker can be adopted and the system can be more flat allowing for the central midfielders to push 10 yards further forward. That is working ok-ish at St. Andrews so in that respect, not much needs changing. It`s on the road where Rowett`s train is stalling.

The manager has stated numerous times that we have the squad to maintain a push this season so now is the time to utilise the options.

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