Opinion: A good start will help Blues along the way

With the opening match of the 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship season just a few days away, blues fans are getting excited at the thought of the return of league football to St. Andrews.

I thought a preview of Blues’ three opening league fixtures certainly wouldn`t go amiss in this time of such anticipation.

Ipswich (A) 15:00 05/08/17

Mick McCarthy is a manager renowned for his defensive shape and structure, and Blues` trip to Portman Road will likely be a close, cagey affair as a result.

We prided ourselves on our defensive work-rate in the three games under Harry Redknapp at the end of last season, but have often lacked a bit of quality in attack.

It is hard to see where the goals will come from in this match, with both teams failing to hit the fifty goal milestone in the previous campaign.

Nevertheless, the Tractor Boys are reportedly missing a few key players due to injury this Saturday, so blues fans will be hoping we can sneak all three points with an away win to kick start us on the way to what will hopefully be a successful season.

Bristol City (H) 15:00 12/08/17

In a fixture that hardly seems that long ago, blues fans will be hoping for the same result as when we visited Ashton Gate in last season`s climax.

I think again it will be a close affair, Bristol having lost last season`s finest asset, Tammy Abraham.

Without their star man, the Robins might struggle this season in general, especially if Blues do secure Aden Flint`s services.

However Lee Johnson’s men have been fruitful in their preseason, and I could see this one ending honours even.

Bolton Wanderers (H) 19:45 15/08/17

Bolton, freshly promoted to the division will be looking to cause some upsets, but I feel this is one that blues need to win.

The visitors are lacking the firepower to seriously compete with the play-off teams, and whilst I don`t think Blues are a play-off team at the moment, it`s important to get off to a good start in the league.

Three points against the Trotters would be cheered by all four corners of St. Andrews.

Overall, I think we could have much tougher opening fixtures, so I predict we will be on seven points after our opening three games.

Blues fans, do you agree with the prediction that has been made?  Let us know what you think in the comments!