betting
Birmingham
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Solid unit
For a manager who last year started off being tipped as the one to get the sack first in the league, finishing top of the second tier teams may have felt a lot like a vengeful comeback. McLeish may have been given too much stick but the club has understood that the Scotsman is one to trust and the funds made available to him this summer have stressed that point.
Coach: McLeish
Tactics: 4-4-1-1
Players In: Hleb, Foster, Beausejour, Jiranek, Zigic, Derbyshire, Valles
Players Out: M. Bent, G. McSheffrey
Current Probable Formation: Foster, Carr, R. Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, S. Larsson, B. Ferguson, Bowyer, Beausejour, Hleb, C. Jerome
Improvement is looking back at what was wrong in the past and trying to make amends for that. For an intelligent man like Alex McLeish that should not have been difficult and in fact it was not. Last season’s version of Birmingham once again fell short of attracting the envy of city rivals Aston Villa, which themselves finished in sixth, 14 points ahead of the Brummies. The problem? A very sterile attack which produced just 38 goals in 38 games.
After all, with strikers like Kevin Phillips and McFadden to
back the efforts of Jerome there was not much choice for McLeish. The two will
most likely be playing less significant roles this term as McLeish sticks to a
favourite defensive approach which however will include some pretty creative
talent in midfield. Ok he did bring in strikers Zigic and Derbyshire but they
are more or less on the same levels as those of the players standing in line
behind Jerome waiting for their turn. Zigic could offer a good option with his
2.02 metres but he was a marginalized element at Valencia
and would most
probably have done better at choosing a team where tactics favour the insertion
of a second striker rather than defensive-minded Birmingham at 30 years of age. How he performs on the few chances he might get will
determine whether he can have a share of the limelight in England.
It will be the most reliable of the strikers that will be given trust by McLeish. Jerome will spearhead the attack and will be expected to score more than last season’s eleven league goals. The team will be depending on those goals for success given the nature of the side’s tactics. Helping the English forward will be newcomers Hleb and Beausejour. The latter is a Chilean winger relatively unknown to the public. He plied his trade in Mexico with America in recent years and shined in an eclectic and quick Chile squad at the World Cup finals in South Africa. He should be employed as a wide man in McLeish’s midfield as long as the Scotsman manages to instill some tactical discipline in the Chilean.
Hleb has been the most important purchase for the team. He
has always shown his potential with the ball in his feet. When Barcelona bother
themselves to get your signature it means that something of value is inherent.
However, he has been closed down by others just like it had happened at
Arsenal. 
The attacking midfielder does perhaps lack personality and enough
determination to keep proving his worth. Can he find his dimension at a team
which will be relying on him for inspiration? He should be the ideal partner
for Jerome in attack, playing just behind his shoulders as wingers try to make
it lively upfront. Swedish player Larsson and a rejuvenated Bowyer should be
invested with those roles.
At the centre of the pitch will be the Scot veteran Barry Ferguson partnered by ex-Villa midfielder Gardner. All the players mentioned so far make for a strong midfield that can support Jerome and Hleb. Birmingham’s attacking department should not feel the absence of Christian Benitez, whose loan deal expired. Players fit their roles perfectly and tactics seem to adapt to their characteristics on the field too. Goals should not be a rarity as last season but mechanisms will need to be tweaked first.
Excluding the top seven sides, Birmingham had the second best defence, one goal behind Fulham. Young goalkeeping sensation Hart had helped in that pursuit but he now returns to the big stage as he got recalled by Manchester City and is poised to get a place in England’s starting eleven. His replacement has been Foster, another goalkeeper orbiting around the Three Lions’ planet. He was the victim of a few blunders at Manchester United and these pushed Ferguson into thinking that it was better to stick with van der Sar rather than giving a chance to the English youngster. Foster was therefore sold to Birmingham and the youngster hopes to finally settle and get regular football that will help him develop into what may become the number one keeper in the country.
Foster should be well guarded with last year’s tight backline being confirmed in full. Carr and Ridgewell will take care of full-back duties and Roger Johnson and Dann will be the central defensive duo. The experienced ex-Spartak Moscow defender Jiranek is a valid addition to the defensive selection but is not expected to break into McLeish’s team just yet. Last year’s good results should have been enough for the defence to gain their manager’s trust.
Predicted finishing position: 8th
Additions have been made to where was needed although the number of strikers signed does not reflect McLeish’s tactics. It would have been money spent better had it been used to add some decent replacements to the central midfield or to the defence. Nonetheless, it is a strong side which McLeish will be fielding this season. Should Hleb turn out to be the inspiration everyone at Birmingham is hoping for then last season’s goal scoring problems will be behind them and Europe close by.
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