The defence will commence

For all the attacking football Birmingham City try to play, it’s worth noting that the defence has leaked only one goal in the last three home games.

Starting with the goalless draw against Nottingham Forest, the 1-0 defeat against Reading and today’s 1-0 success against Fulham, the defence seems to be holding its own.

And it hasn’t been due to a consistent team selection either. Eight different defenders have been used during the three games at St. Andrews – Jonathan Spector, Michael Morrison, Ryan Shotton, Jonathan Grounds, Josh Dacres-Cogley, Emilio Nsue, Cheick Keita and Paul Robinson.

During today’s win, Grounds was solid alongside Robinson, who defies the odds by performing admirably well into his twilight years. And it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that pairing take to the field at Hillsborough on Friday evening.

Without Shotton and Morrison, Gianfranco Zola has options at centre back – when  was the last time we could say that?