Alex Dicken examines the lineup adjustments Mark Venus might make for Birmingham City’s matchup with Watford.
The match between Birmingham City and Watford is a “must win.” Blues need to beat the Hornets at St Andrew’s to stay out of the relegation zone come the season’s last international break.
Valerien Ismael was fired by Watford after their 2-1 loss to them the previous weekend, since Watford has only won one of their previous twelve games. Watford interim manager Tom Cleverley witnessed the Blues’ Tuesday defeat against Middlesbrough.
Even if they are currently struggling, Cleverley’s Watford team won’t be exactly shaking in their football boots at the prospect of playing at St Andrew’s after watching Blues go down with a whimper. It was especially painful that Boro had no offensive threat at all, but how can this be resolved?
I tend to agree with the majority of people when they say that the Blues should have moved on from 34-year-old Lukas Jutkiewicz by now. Jutkiewicz, though, offers Blues a stronger opportunity to fight their way out of this situation than their other striking options. Blues are still fighting relegation.
The Blues are now in need of a percentage game, and Jutkiewicz provides an unmatched focal point for the attack. Jay Stansfield could return to his preferred position behind the striker with Jutkiewicz’s introduction.
Against Boro, the starting lineup lacked offensive quickness. George Hall and Juninho Bacuna might start in a 4-2-3-1 configuration on either side of Stansfield for interim manager Mark Venus to ensure that Blues can stretch Watford with players who can outscore Jutkiewicz.
And you also need a strong midfield foundation. The only truly exceptional midfield player at the present is Paik Seung-ho, so perhaps it’s time for Jordan James to rejoin him.
At right-back, Cody Drameh may have the advantage against Ethan Laird, but the other three defensive places in front of John Ruddy are unquestionably chosen by themselves. In order to free up Lee Buchanan to play left back, Dion Sanderson ought to accompany the steadily improving Emanuel Aiwu at center back.
