Key player Vs. Newcastle

The games come thick and fast in the Championship and they don’t get any tougher than against the league leaders Newcastle.

They are the visitors to St Andrew`s this Saturday as Gianfranco Zola`s side look to collect the points they need to keep enough distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Blues are now in a relegation battle, I think we can all admit that. We are just six points above the drop zone after this disaster of a second half of the season.

Saturday will be an extremely tough game for us but if we are to take anything sort of result from it, then I think that Lukas Jutkiewicz will be key to it.

Without his goals this season, Blues will be in more trouble than they already are. He’s had a lot of pressure on his shoulders to deliver the goods for us and we may just need him to step up once again.

The team are extremely short on goals at the moment and when we are conceding too many as well, it makes it all that harder to outscore the opponents.

Newcastle need no introduction. They have top class players and will hurt any team in this division but Blues need to go into the game with a positive mindset.

The players have to put all the negativity that is surrounding the club at the moment to one side and really fight for those points.

Jutkiewicz is someone who will lead the line with strength, power and commitment. It’s crucial that he uses his experience and know how to help the team through this difficult period and you know what you’re going to get with the big striker.

He`ll fight for every ball and battle throughout against the Newcastle centre halves. We do, however, need to play to his strengths.

Blues need to be direct at times but also not be over reliant on Jutkiewicz winning aerial duels or holding off two or three men.

If we mix it up a bit and get runners around him, then he can be the focal point in helping us create chances and hopefully breakthrough the Newcastle back four.

It’s now or never for Zola. Results need to come and fast. They don’t come any harder than against the best side in the division but it would be typical Blues if we were to come away with something so let’s hope for the best.