Luke Turner previews tomorrow’s clash at St Andrews…
Alex Neil`s Norwich City are the opponents for Blues as they look for a response following last weekends 3-1 home defeat to Wolves.
The Canaries have just been relegated from the a Premier League and have one of the best squads in the Championship so it will be a very tough game for Gary Rowett`s men.
In some ways, this game has fallen at the wrong time for Blues, straight after a derby defeat but it will give the players the chance to battle for the team and compete with better opponents.
In terms of the starting line-up, I do expect a few changes after last weeks disappointment. Stephen Gleeson is out with injury so that’ll most likely mean a return to the side for Maikel Kieftenbeld.
I would pair the Dutchman with Robert Tesche just to give us that extra quality on the ball and more threat going forward.
Personally, I would also start Diego Fabbrini and Greg Stewart in place of David Cotterill and Jacques Maghoma. That would mean an attacking three of Adams, Fabbrini and Stewart with Clayton Donaldson still leading the line.
I feel that this will give Blues so much more creativity and it would make us a lot more unpredictable. At present, Cotterill has been failing to deliver and currently isn’t deserved of a place in the team.
Our home form desperately needs to improve and the only way that will happen is if we play more attacking football. That attacking trio should give us that and all three will also be chomping at the bit to play.
Norwich are a tough side to break down with Tim Klose and Ryan Bennett/Russell Martin both a force at the back. They then have plenty of attacking options, beginning with Steven Whittaker and Robbie Brady at full back.
It will be crucial that our wide players help out our full backs as both Pinto and Brady will look to get forward at every opportunity.
This may leave gaps for Blues to exploit but the experience of Alex Tettey and Youssouf Mulumbu in midfield may already have it covered.
Norwich will see a lot of the ball but it will then be up to Blues to first stay resilient and second use the ball well when they have it.
It’s no use lumping it up to Donaldson all the time. We must get the ball on the floor and allow our attacking players to show their flair.
Someone like Robert Tesche has the ability to dictate a game so he will need to be on form, making sure he’s leading the chase through the middle.
Norwich obviously have an array of attacking talent and could easily put to bed any Championship side on their day.
If Blues concede, then heads can’t drop. We have to pick ourselves up and go again because, if not, the likes of Naismith, Hoolahan and Jerome will punish us.
It’s a tough ask for Blues to go out and beat Norwich and, if we don’t see a victory, Blues fans will want to walk away knowing that the players gave it their all.
We need heart and desire but with that the quality of football will have to follow if we are to take anything from the game, which I believe it would be typical Blues if we did just that.