Birmingham Mail reporter Brian Dick speaks to bwfc.co.uk about Tuesday’s opponents
Ahead of the visit of Birmingham City to Macron Stadium this coming Tuesday evening, Birmingham Mail reporter Brian Dick gives bwfc.co.uk the lowdown on Gary Rowett’s side.
bwfc.co.uk: Have Birmingham exceeded expectations so far this season?
BD: There was talk of a play-off challenge at the start if the season, but virtually every club in the land starts the season thinking the year is going to be a good one. Blues supporters were optimistic but realistic and anything better than last season’s tenth-placed finish would be viewed as an improvement.
bwfc.co.uk: Who have been the standout performers?
BD: Obviously Clayton Donaldson gets the goals and Michael Morrison is crucial in defence but for me Stephen Gleeson has been the one making it tick over. The Irish midfielder has come on leaps and bounds and is justifying the faith showed in him when he was handed a new contract. His partnership with Kieftenbeld has been very influential.
bwfc.co.uk: How would you summarise Birmingham’s summer transfer business?
BD: I don't think anyone was overwhelmed by Gary Rowett's off-season recruitment, indeed there was a net loss of players rather than an increase as he trimmed his squad. No-one knew much about Maikel Kieftenbeld, there was uncertainty as to how Tomasz Kuszczak would perform and the jury was out on Jacques Maghoma. But they have all come in and contributed in a big way and you'd have to say the manager has been pretty much spot on.
bwfc.co.uk: And finally, a prediction?
BD: Blues are really solid away from home and given the fact Bolton have found goals hard to come by I’d be surprised if Birmingham lost. A draw away from home is always a decent result, but I am sure Blues will privately be expecting to win.
Brian is on Twitter, @briandick.
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