Birmingham (A) Preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
Can Town bounce back from a disappointing second-half display against Preston with a win at Birmingham? Fan channel Birmingham Fan TV discuss our opponents and the game for And He Takes That Chance.
Back to reality then. After picking up ten points from a possible 12 in their last four games before the Preston match, Town were defeated by The Lilywhites, who impressed on the road again with a 2-1 win. However, it’s not the customary doom and gloom that we’re used to seeing with Huddersfield, as even with ten men after Naby Sarr’s sending off, they were pushing for an equaliser and could have had one if Pipa’s shot had snuck in rather than hitting the post. It didn’t go in and now The Terriers will have to pick themselves back up for the trip to Birmingham.
In what was a disastrous post-lockdown for Huddersfield last season, the visit to St. Andrew’s was a rare positive as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against what was a dreadful Birmingham City team. A lot has changed for The Blues since then with Aitor Karanka now the man in charge and a raft of new signings in the side, who knows what will await Town. If we had to hazard a guess, a Karanka team is historically always difficult to break down and focus on defence first, and the stats say that Birmingham are the only side left in the Premier League and EFL who are yet to score from open play. So that’s us jinxing it then.
Rather than speculate, why not talk to someone who knows more about Birmingham City than we do? So we did. James Jenkinson from fan channel, Birmingham Fan TV, talks about new boss Aitor Karanka, their impressive new signings and how he is impressed with Carlos Corberán.
James from Birmingham Fan TV says Aitor Karanka was brought in to sort out the defence and he has done that. Photo source: Aitor Karanka
A lot has changed at Birmingham since we last spoke, what was your reaction to appointing Aitor Karanka and what have you made of his start so far?
Absolutely a lot has changed in an incredibly short space of time for Blues. Bringing in a top manager with proven pedigree was something the club was screaming for and that’s certainly something the club answered with the appointment of Aitor. His start considering the disaster of an end to the season has been steady, to say the least.
One win, four draws and two defeats since the appointment has left some fans with mixed views on his start to life in the dugout at St. Andrews. While Blues recorded the worst defensive record of anyone post lockdown last season, it’s a completely different story this time out with only four goals shipped in seven games. On the flip side with only three goals scored, there is a concern going forward.
What are your general expectations for the season?
The general feel around the club is to achieve some real stability and to lay the foundations for the seasons to come while some quiet optimism has been at the back of some fans’ minds all summer long.
So far this season, you’ve struggled to score goals from open play. Can you tell us what you think the reasons are to why you’ve struggled?
I think there’s a multitude of reasons why we’ve struggled to find the back of the net. Firstly as mentioned earlier, the main focus for Karanka from day one was to sort out one of the worst defensive records in the Championship and he has more than achieved that. This has come at a price in the fact that we may be too rigid at the moment and struggling to create that fluidity and a real threat in the final third. That coupled with a very, very good performance at QPR on Saturday where we created numerous chances and had two goals disallowed has meant that we also haven’t had much luck in front of goal so far.
Fraizer Campbell scored in the 3-0 win at Birmingham last season and netted at the weekend against Preston. Photo source: HTAFC
Birmingham have now been in the Championship since 2011, what do you think should be the long-term aim for this team and squad going forward?
Again, I think really looking to build gradually instead of a trolly dash and splash approach to things. The club has been nothing short of a rollercoaster over our prolonged period in the second tier and I believe if the club can begin to find that stability once more than it can only breed success.
Which player from your current squad do you think will be one to watch this season?
I’m really torn between two, so I’m going to say both Ivan Sanchez and Mikel San Jose. Sanchez arrived from Elche in the summer after he ran down his contract with the recently promoted Spanish side and he’s looked a real bargain on a free. A player with superb dead-ball ability and close control on the ball has made him a target for opponents and a main outlet for Blues going forward. San Jose could be one of the real coups, the former Athletic Bilbao man had spent 12 seasons at the club before his release this summer. For a player only playing internationally for Spain four years ago and European football only two seasons ago, he could be one of the stars of the season with his obvious ability and pedigree.
Birmingham signed a few players over the transfer window, have you been impressed with your business? Any players you think will do well?
I think the club has been very smart in the window and picked up some real bargains. Other than the two mentioned, they’ve also added the likes of Neil Etheridge in goal, Jonathan Leko and the likes of Jon Toral, George Friend and Adam Clayton who Huddersfield fans will know all too well. Overall it’s been an impressive summer, the only thing lacking potentially was a recognised top striker in this division but we know how hard they are to find.
Birmingham drew 0-0 against QPR in their previous game. Photo source: Birmingham City
Is there anything Huddersfield need to be on the lookout for in this game?
I think Jonathan Leko has looked increasingly more dangerous in his first few appearances at the club having returned from a lengthy knee injury. The returning Lukas Jutkiewicz would be the main threat for Huddersfield should he start on Wednesday. A man with 40+ goals and assists in the last two championship seasons he’s become a real nightmare for defenders and someone we can always rely on.
What are Birmingham’s weaknesses, is there anything Huddersfield can take advantage of?
In terms of defensively, we are looking really strong at the moment and that shows with only four conceded and we never concede more than one in a game all season. That being said if Huddersfield can get that goal and score first then I do worry about trying to break you down as going forward we’re lacking that killer instinct at this moment.
What are your expectations for Huddersfield Town this season?
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the incoming manager Carlos Corberán however I think the club has made a decent start to the season and have shown real signs of quality under the new man. I think considering how barely you felt the effects of relegation from the Premier League last season I think Huddersfield in my eyes shouldn’t be looking for more than a healthy mid-table finish again to look to build momentum again in the right direction. From first impressions, Corberán looks like a smart choice.
What’s your score prediction for the game?
I don’t think there’s much to split the two sides at the moment. Neither are particularly free-scoring teams and both having respectable defensive records so I’m going for a 1-1 draw.
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Birmingham? Let us know in the comments!
Our Predictions:
Brady: 0-0.
Kosi: 1-0 win for Huddersfield.
Matt: 1-0 win for Birmingham.
Neil: 2-1 win for Huddersfield.
Pozza: 1-1.
Si: 0-0.
Scoring system: A correct score wins three points, a correct result wins a point.
