Opinion: Where Blues could win or lose Vs. Brentford

Gary Rowett`s Blues face Brentford at St Andrews on Saturday following victory last time out against MK Dons.

Here`s where I think the game against Dean Smith`s men could be won and lost for Blues?

More of the same?

Blues performed very well against MK Dons on Monday and the same performance against Brentford should bring Blues another three points.

Rowett`s men were positive, attack minded and first to a lot of loose balls. They were also helped by the outstanding individual performances of Jon Toral, Maikel Kieftenbeld, Jacques Maghoma and the returning Clayton Donaldson.

In fairness, the whole team played well but those players in particular were excellent. If we are to get another win this time out, then I believe the players mentioned above will play a big part in this.

Brentford are, however, a much better team than MK Dons on paper and will pose more of an attacking threat.

Because of this, Blues will need to be a lot more clinical in front of goal and not settle for a one goal swing.

Midfield maestro?

Brentford`s main source for goals and assists this season has been Irish midfielder Alan Judge.

Since the departure of Andre Gray to Burnley, Judge has stepped up to the plate by scoring ten goals and contributing seven assists.

He can play anywhere along the three behind the striker so Blues will have to be aware of Judge roaming around, picking up the ball in behind Kieftenbeld and Stephen Gleeson.

Judge is particularly impressive at cutting inside from either flank and striking the ball from distance. It is crucial that Blues keep a close eye on him and don’t give him a yard of space.

He is the type of player that will win games and any lapse in concentration from Rowett`s players could be capitalised on by him.

Set pieces could be the difference?

Brentford do have an organised back four so Blues should look to exploit them via set pieces.

However, the Bees don’t defend set pieces with great confidence as we saw when Michael Morrison headed in against them last September from a corner.

This will mean that Blues have to improve vastly on their set piece taking. Since David Cotterill has been out of the team, the corner and free kick deliveries have been poor.

Demarai Gray and currently Gleeson have both tried their luck on set piece duty but most have been very disappointing.

I would suggest that Gleeson takes corners from one side and Toral from the other. That way we have two in-swingers which gives the likes of Morrison and Jonathan Grounds more chance to attack the ball as they are running in.

Key player for Blues?

The game against MK Dons saw Clayton Donaldson make his first start for Blues since the start of November after a long injury lay off.

The difference he makes to the team was there for all to see and he will be crucial to Blues again this time around.

His ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play is a great asset to the team and his link up play with with Arsenal loanee Toral will be very important.

Add to that his willingness to run and work hard for the team right up until the final whistle is invaluable and key in a tight game, as Saturday’s could be.

Blues fans, do you agree with the points that have been made? What do you think the result will be on Saturday? Let us know in the comment section down below!