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The Summer Assessment

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SYSTEM

Gary Rowett`s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation seems to be the preferred choice at the moment, which is no great surprise. Even at Solihull Moors, with two strikers on the pitch in the second half, one of them was bundled out wide.

I`d like to see James Vaughan partner Clayton Donaldson for a good hour to test the waters. Perhaps they can form an understanding, perhaps they can`t. But it`ll be good to find out.

PROMISING YOUNG GUNS

With Jack Storer scoring at Forest Green and Reece Brown, Josh Cogley and Koby Arthur getting game time under their belts, it`ll be interesting to see which ones are in and around the first team, loaned out or do not make the grade.

Cogley looks a real gem. His performances have been solid and mature. At the age of 20, this is the ideal time to challenge Paul Caddis and make the right-back berth his own.

DIEGO IS FABB

Filling Jon Toral`s boots is an almighty task. Blues` player of the season had a huge impact whilst on loan from Arsenal and he will be a massive loss. But Diego Fabbrini has started pre-season with a spring in his step and a swagger. He could be the man to minimise Toral`s loss. If Fabbrini can hit the ground running and continue his rich vein of form, he will be a massive asset.

ALONGSIDE THE CAPTAIN

Michael Morrison is a guaranteed starter for Blues, if fit. However, Gary Rowett now has to decide who to play alongside him.

After signing from Derby County, Ryan Shotton is looking the most likely. He was competent when partnering Morrison towards the back end of last season and has been signed with central defence in mind, rather than his ‘natural` position of right back.

Jonathan Spector is the other obvious option. He has been decent in pre-season so far. Paul Robinson is likely to be a back-up option as he turns his attentions to the coaching side of his role.

WIDE BOYS

With David Cotterill on extended leave after returning from Euro 2016 duty with Wales, the door has opened for Viv Solomon-Otabor to play his way into the starting eleven. The young winger was a handful at Forest Green and he seems to have matured on the pitch.

Jacques Maghoma is a pretty safe bet to start on the opposite side with Koby Arthur a possible back-up option.

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