Birmingham City’s next opponent comes in the form of Huddersfield. A team that have lost their last 3 and have conceded at least 2 in all of those defeats. So what is in store for Rowett and co?
Well Huddersfield almost match Blues blow for blow in terms of how their season has panned out. In the grand scheme of things, the team has done okay with the odd bad patch here and there.
One thing they do not do is keep the ball. Their overall possession stat sits at 45%. That is a trait they share with Blues (43). They are more effective with the ball though, completing more of their passes.
They require more shots per goal than Blues, at 14.5. Whilst Rowett’s men score every 13.47. Not a particularly good stat for either side. Which is why I can’t see either really running away with it. Then again, Derby’s is at 13.42 and Norwich at over 16.
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So how will they play? Huddersfield appear to be a free shooting side, don’t mistake that with free scoring. But they do take a lot of shots.
According to previous games, they favor attacking down their right hand side and will seek to play high up the pitch. And, a growing trend is opponents tend to get stuck into them with considerable joy.
This season Huddersfield have been undone time and time again by clever through balls straight through to the front man. Here players like Tesche come into the thinking.
Picking up the ball deep in midfield and being able to play a ball behind the defence will no doubt have a good effect on Saturday. Based on Tesche’s Shinnie assist he is more than capable of picking a pass.
This is why I would hope that Rowett goes for Thomas on Saturday, a willing runner that may well be just the fit for the game. Donaldson seems to panic when he is one on one with the keeper and may not be the best option for getting in behind and scoring.
I’m also told Huddersfield are weak down the sides. Will this convince Rowett to deploy Lloyd Dyer for added width? I don’t know but Gray should probably be given the nod as Dyer and Cotterill weren’t great at Derby.
I guess that just leaves me with who I think might be the key men to watch out for. Jacob Butterfield has made 35 starts this season and has performed well in the midfield. He has 5 goals to his name and 3 assists. He tackles, shoots and has the odd run with the ball, a potential problem but nothing Davis can’t handle – I hope.
Jack Robinson at left back is another good player, on loan at Huddersfield, he has played 29 times and been a consistently impressive player. But it would seem Huddersfield remain weak down the sides due to the nature of their style of play.
The last time we met, Huddersfield were on a good run but still lost 1-0 to Blues. Randolph played a stormer and Cotterill grabbed the winner. Butterfield and Robinson were probably their best players in that game as well.
So having taken a brief look at Saturday’s opponents I would think Birmingham have a good chance at recording a home win. I don’t think it will be a big win, but the space in behind Huddersfield is something I hope is utilised.
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