Key player Vs. Cardiff

Birmingham City travel to Cardiff on Saturday in what is another huge game for the team and Gianfranco Zola following Tuesday’s home defeat to struggling Wigan.

We now sit just eight points above the relegation zone and, if the poor results continue, we will only get dragged ever closer to the bottom three.

It’s hard to believe that things have got to this and although I think it’s time for Zola to admit defeat at Blues, we still have a job to do on Saturday under his guidance.

If we are to win just our third game in 18 under Zola, then I think that Stephen Gleeson should come back into the side and will be key in protecting an extremely shaky defence.

The Irishman hasn’t featured in any of the last four games and I really think we’ve missed his presence in front of the back line as well as his composure on the ball.

At times he can be a bit off with his distribution but I do think that he is one of the best in the squad when it comes down to technical ability and picking out a pass.

He keeps it simple and that is what Blues need right now. Nothing fancy, just someone that can keep the ball moving and pick it up from the defenders who are clearly not as comfortable on the ball.

Robert Tesche was excellent last Friday against Leeds and looked to be back to his best but I just feel that Gleeson needs to come back into the side.

It would be a big call, but I think that Tesche could also move further forward and maybe take the place of Craig Gardner in the attacking midfield position.

I just haven’t been impressed enough with Gardner since he returned to Blues and a shake up in that position could give us something a little bit different. Tesche also played there previously when he was on loan at Blues a couple of years ago so it could be an option.

But, whoever plays on Saturday needs to put in a huge shift. Another defeat for Zola will surely signal the end of his reign as manager.

We are now in a relegation dogfight and I’m struggling to see where the next win will come from. Hopefully, though, it will come on Saturday against a Cardiff side on the up under Neil Warnock so it will be extremely tough for Blues.