Watto’s Preview: Birmingham City vs Wigan Athletic

Three away defeats in the Smoke have put a dampener on our season. As I reported after the Fulham game, something is missing. That cussed determination not to get beat that we saw at Stoke, Derby and tomorrow’s opponents Wigan was missing. Adding Blues’ lack of goals makes the current situation worrying.  Having won for the first time in the town of Wigan before Christmas as part of a five match winning streak, Blues do not want to return the favour and allow the Latics a first win at St Andrews.

This match is a test of Manager Alex McLeish’s skills and must get the team back on track. Failure to win this game will leave Blues short of that 40 point mark and arrest that forward momentum that we enjoyed before Christmas. Not being relegated is no longer the sole purpose of Blues ambition. The lack of spending in January was a choice made by Alex which most supporters supported. That was based on the fact that our side was looking a top half side and we did not need to be ripped off by agents who smelt a soft touch in Carson Young.

This match is pivotal in Blues season, coming before next week’s crucial Cup quarter- final. That game, with all the hoo-ha surrounding Portsmouth is bound to distract the players and the fans. Wigan’s form is not good but Blues should not fall into the trap of disregarding them. The fact that Blues tried to sign at least two of their players in January suggests they have some ability. They have habit of coming up with a surprise result when you least expect it.

After they lost 9-1 at Spurs, Wigan bounced back with a win against Steve Bruce’s Sunderland. How ironic? They followed their 5-0 drubbing at Old Trafford with a 4-1 Cup win against Hull and 2-0 away win at Wolves. They will be looking at those results for inspiration. While Blues were losing at Fulham Wigan were enjoying a 3-0 spanking by Spurs on the quagmire of a pitch at the DW Stadium.

Wigan will find our pitch like a desert by comparison and the trip south will feel like a holiday as the temperature will be at least 5 degrees warmer than in Wigan.

Blues need a spark and maybe giving Craig Gardener his full home debut will give that firepower. Mcfadden and Larsson both have international matches next week which are both thankfully within Great Britain and will not take too much out of them. Keith Fahey, somewhat surprisingly has been ignored by Ireland for the match against Brazil in London so he may well start.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the spending policy, the absence of a striker who can find the net regularly, remains a problem. Our goals have been coming from defenders and midfield and the late entry of Kevin Phillips. Jerome, Chucho and lately Mcfadden have looked a threat to the opposition but the goal tally is woeful.

Blues have not had a real convincing win all season. Odd goal wins have been the norm. Tomorrow a performance coupled with a few goals will be more than welcome

By Alan Watton

£20 FREE BET!!    BIRMINGHAM CITY TO WIN 2-0 – 15/2

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