Birmingham City v Exeter City (H) 2024/25 Pre-Match Analysis; Key Players, Stats, Line Ups

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

We are now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/70BPUXds9R4wUrZJHqHSOl Don't forget to give us a THUMBS UP on the video and hit the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON / BELL ICON to be notified when each new video is uploaded. Please, no bad or offensive language in the comments as these will be deleted immediately. We pride ourselves on the fact families and young kids watch this channel. As our channel has become more popular it has become increasingly difficult for us to respond to every comment. Please be assured that we read every single comment and we will continue to acknowledge comments but may not be able to provide detailed responses. Please feel free to use the comments as a forum for discussion amongst fans. We hope you enjoy the videos and make sure you let us know your thoughts/opinions/comments below. Thank you for watching!

[@PaulElstins-gt2qc]

🔵👃💙 I GARY AND MATT RESPECT TO THE BOTH OF YOU YES HAPPY TIMES AT THE ROYAL BLUES 😄 😀 YES BIRMMINGHAM CITY 3 EXETER CITY 1 YES KRO..

[@italgong]

Well done Shrewsbury!!!!!

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. KRO!

[@nigelpallett]

Another great podcast guys. Blues have just announced the signing of Grant Hanley until the end of the season. A great short term signing to add experience and strength in depth to the defence. KRO!

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Just saw this Nigel. I think for depth purposes it's not a bad signing at all. KRO! :)

[@nigelpallett]

And now the club have announced that Phil Neumann has signed a pre-contract agreement to join us on the 1st July, so we are covered for the remainder of this season and next season going forward. I am really liking the way the club is operating these days !!

[@leaveourstatuesalone.3378]

Great pod as usual lads, On a note with Yokohama, thought he had a great couple of cup games, v Lincoln I thought he was wanting to get onto his right every time, thought that was going to been found out quickly, so was surprised to see him knocking in a few on his Left v Swindon, maybe CD had a word, I think he will be a great impact player, and these couple of starts have done him the world of good. 3-1 💙 KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. Definitely think Yokoyama is one for the future but for now a great asset to bring on as an impact substitute. KRO!

[@DonnaKRO82]

In Matt and Gary we trust! KRO FELLAS 💙

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Donna which is greatly appreciated. KRO!

[@michaelquinn3301]

The way we feel heading into the Newcastle cup fixture is exactly how other “smaller” teams will feel week in/week out against us. You two are totally right We play 46 cup finals (at least) this year. Side note about Exeter scoring late too, our last 3 conceded have been 76th 78th and 90th minute, so stay switched on blues! KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Michael which is greatly appreciated. It will be nice for us to go into a game as underdogs for a change against Newcastle. KRO!

[@paulWhite-v5x]

Love all the facts and figures another great show 3 nil for me

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thanks Paul, greatly appreciated mate. KRO! :)

[@pulpet9193]

Well done Shrewsbury last night! Wrexham's away form is going to cost them, Wycombe just lost their manager too. Huddersfield will be pushing us for automatic promotion I think. I'll go 2 nil Blues win,time to put a decent gap between ourselves and third place. Have a great weekend guys and hopefully another win. KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. A win on Saturday will start to open up a bit of a gap which will be good. I agree that Huddersfield will probably go up this season automatically. KRO!

[@joeswift5296]

Yes, well done Shrewsbury! Did you see the end of the game when the Shrews defender took his opportunity to send McLean into the air 🤣

[@bcfc18751]

After Wrexham losing to the Shrews 2-1 we’re still top, and will be after beating Exeter! I’ll go with any of the scores mentioned, 2-0 or 3-0 or could be more if their normal back 3 aren’t playing! A near to full strength team and no injuries going into the massive game v Wrexham Thursday!! KRO!!

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. It’s all about accumulating as many points as possible and trying to open a gap at the top if we can. KRO!

[@Cestmoi-q5d]

With reference to Exeter defensive record, the first choice back three are all out. Crama has gone back to Brentford (loaned now sold to Fulham). Sweeneys injured. Yfecko injured.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. I saw that, however I’m sure they will have players eager to get on and take their chance. KRO!

[@Cestmoi-q5d]

@ there is but will be some midfield playing out of position that historically doesn’t go well (Christmas period defence). Maybe Diabete now he’s been recalled.

[@michaelstaley2241]

I would imagine this is a Banker with Wrexham losing last night.. so a big incentive for us to pour forward with quick football. Very good podcast Gary and Matt but good to be in league action which has to be our priority.. pleased with Grant Hanley coming in , a good signing potential..KRO.

[@franknightingale6116]

Grant Hanley too old and slow

[@michaelstaley2241]

@ He is only a stop gap until we get Newmann in ..

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

I think on a 6 month contract it makes sense. It's just a back up until the season ends. Smart business in my opinion. Not the most technical player but strong and good leadership qualities. KRO! :)

[@Tonypoolebcfc]

A good win tomorrow will heap pressure on the 3 below us , just hope we come out the blocks at full steam , a couple of goals by half time is more than doable, 3-0 im due a correct score .KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Tony which is greatly appreciated. A fast start would definitely help. We’ve started too slow at home on occasions so we need to get right at them from the start. KRO!

[@RainJoltik]

Think we should be ok, as you said, Exeter has already plaed us twice so may know what we might do, i do think that as that time has passed the team has become better overall and allows us to play differently when needed, so i think we should have an answer to them for sure, 3-0 blues is my guess. Great vid again guys KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thanks for this and for the kind words, its greatly appreciated. KRO! :)

[@tommytucker5733]

As a blues fan I’ve got used to watching other teams results 😂 can’t help it 😇KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Haha! It's easily done mate. We're all guilty of it at some point, KRO! :)

[@johnmoran6027]

Another great podcast guys , Shrewsbury did us a big favour last night, down to us now to ensure we get 3 points again tomorrow.Think Hanley will do a decent job for us if called on,and has a decent record of scoring from corners, which is a part of our game we have been pretty poor at.Good call on Laird no good having one brilliant game then back to normal has to step his performances up.Still not convinced about Dykes,he is a big lad but his hold up play and ability to win headers is not the best.would like to see another forward brought in but you can’t have everything.Fingers crossed for good result tomorrow,will take a 2-0 victory.If you’re in the Tilton bar tomorrow I will buy you a pint of that neck oil🤮KRO.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment John which is greatly appreciated. I think Hanley is a good signing. An experienced no nonsense centre back who wont be pushed around in this league. KRO!

[@marvinpa1]

I live in the south west and I went to the Exeter v Oxford game last week and Exeter were excellent, the lad Woods bossed the midfield and if they play as well against us on Saturday we will be in for a shock.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Marvin which is greatly appreciated. Ryan Woods used to play for us. I don’t think Chris Davies will allow any complacency. KRO!

[@paulcooper8504]

Stano is fit so he should start

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Paul which is greatly appreciated. Yes, that’s what I’ve heard as well so good news! KRO!

[@RICHP1979]

I for one definitely checked the Wrexham scoreline throughout the game and of course the end result!! I'm sure a lot of fans will have done the same thing and Chris Davies and the players will be fully aware of that result. Not that we needed any more incentive to get the win, but i can see us starting to pull away from those that are jusy behind us if we just make sure that we take care of our own business!! Starting of course with Exeter. I think we will win 2 or 3 nil. And then that sets up nicely for the big game on Thursday against Wrexham. I really fancy us to go there and get the win. I hope we have a decent squad to choose from for both the Exeter and the Wrexham game. I do think that Huddersfield will provide the biggest and closest challenge but even then i still think that we will win the league and relatively comfortably, in terms of points but i don't expect that the games and results will always be comfortable. KRO 💙

[@RICHP1979]

Great news to see the return to management for Tony Mowbray which obviously means even better news about his health. I wish him well at the Baggies. KRO 💙

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

That's what its all about for me. Taking care of our business. I also saw the final result and Shrewsbury clearly have a knack for playing against the bigger teams. Fair play, a really good win and helped us out! The injuries are a slight concern but we have such depth it's crazy. It also looks like we might do some more business before the end of Jan but for blues, it's been mega quiet. I do usually enjoy all the rumours flying around. Keeps me entertained 😂 Agree about Huddersfield as well. I would bank my house now on them getting 2nd. Just have a feeling. If we win away at Wrexham and Huddersfield. I mean, what's to stop us? What a statement that would be. Need to keep going, pushing and fighting and we will get there. Thanks, Richard and KRO! :)

[@RICHP1979]

​@BCFCRoyalBlue We've dropped 6 points at home Reading, Northampton and Blackpool. With regards to our transfer business so far this window. A very good friend of mine is a Norwich fan. On hearing the news about us signing Grant Hanley he contacted me and said the following. He will do alright for you. Old school centre half so isn't great on the ball but good in the air and a lot quicker than you expect for a big bloke. Plays like he gives a s*#t and Norwich fans have a lot of time for him. We definitely needed to strengthen in that area with Sanderson going out on loan and Hanley, I think is a really good addition to the squad. I would like to see us sign one or two more, but I have a feeling that this window in terms of incoming now will be very quiet/nothing at all! I definitely think that the festive period took its toll on our squad. The Crawley game was so unfair regardless of how good a squad we have, the EFL did us and Crawley proper dirty! It's great to see that the Exeter game is close to being yet another sellout. I hope that Blues can really put on a performance, but as long as we win and take care of business, that will do for me. KRO 💙

[@k-matsu]

The team atop the table should always watch out for a team thats "having a run of bad form". The motivation to get your season back on track will always increase when you play the league leaders, and for a team like that, an early goal can be more inspiring than a triple-expresso. Hope Davies will go back to a near full-strength lineup. K.R.O. [進み続け]

[@k-matsu]

On Yokoyama, FWIW I think there may be two issues. One is the positional discipline that you mention. Sagan Tosu and Matsumoto Yamaga (my next-door rival team) are both small grassroots, "Provincia" clubs so he really hasnt really had the necessary coaching in tactical awareness and positioning that one might expect from a player who is almost 22. But you dont go from Matsumoto to Birmingham in two years unless youve got some underlying talent. The second issue, though, just might be his communication skills. I know firsthand that Iwata had good English even before he went to Celtic, and Miyoshi had been in Europe for about four years when he arrived, so perhaps folks will not be familiar with the level of English skills that are more typical of Japanese players. Ayumu is originally from Tokyo, so it isnt like he is an ingenue ... but he went to a "sports high school" and I dont think he focused much on language classes. Hopefully some work with tutors will help him get up to speed, but if he isnt able to understand his teammates directions (Brummie is a tough accent to pick up) ... you could understand why Davies is reluctant to start him. K.R.O. [進み続け]

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. I think CD will go back to picking the strongest team he can. KRO!

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you for this which is really interesting. KRO!

[@markfewtrell5242]

3-0 blues got to happen soon at St Andrews

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thanks very much Mark. Same score as me, KRO! :)

[@PaulEvans]

Now then, did Matt have a sneaky look at the Shrewsbury v Wrexham score around 10:00pm last night? 😊

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Paul which is greatly appreciated. I doubt it, if he did he still got it wrong! KRO!

[@joeswift5296]

He might put Stansfield at 10, May at 9, Wright on the right and GH on the left ?

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Very good shout and I wouldn't be against this, KRO! :)

[@RICHP1979]

I'd like to see Stansfield in the 10 and see how he looks there. Good shout that with May at 9 and Wright on the right. I would love to see Yokoyama on the left but I don't see him starting. But he deserves a place on the bench. Gardner-Hickman can play anywhere, so if he plays on the left he'll definitely do a job. KRO 💙

[@grahamfoster6222]

Great podcast as usual. Cant get my head round sending a player on loan to blackburn because hes 4th choice and signing another player short term who wants more playing time. I can only believe he will be on his way out of the door come end of the season. A shame because l do like him

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

I think since Eustace left we can all see Sanderson has struggled a bit. I think maybe regular first team football might do him some good up there. We like him as well, KRO! :) Thanks for the kind words as well, always means a lot to us.

[@stevesretroloft]

Maybe this week will be the start of the 4-0 type results for blues! KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Steve which is greatly appreciated. I’d also settle for a 1-0! KRO!

[@paulw9873]

Gardner-Hickman in the 10 - he's played pretty much everywhere else? Like you rather Leonard but expect Harris. Enjoy the game, I'll be watching as long as I hear the alarm. Reckon 2 - 0 but will be happy with just 1 - 0 as long as we win. Thanks for another podcast. KRO.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Paul which is greatly appreciated. KRO!

[@ekonamare7219]

If Stansfield is out than yokoyama has to start on the left. Quality player has pace and likes to take players on and make things happen which we miss.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. KRO!

[@BB49.]

Good old Shrewsbury😂not worried about Wrexham no good away, and you cannot keep depending on last minute goals at home. Blues and Huddersfield to go up automatically👍though I wish you would not praise goalkeepers that is a omen of doom😂

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. I watched the game and it was poor to be honest. Wrexham, as with all other teams will play completely different against us. We will need to be on our game but we can be the first team win at their ground this season. KRO!

[@joeswift5296]

I agree, he’ll play Harris at 10. Hopefully he won’t put Dykes up top and May at 10 ! Please keep May up top Davies !

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Couldn't agree more Joe! May at 9 or not at all. KRO! :)

[@englemanbluenose7356]

Sick of CD not being confident with Ayumu Yokoyama!❌. He performs every time he plays. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿KRO!

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. He is a real attacking threat without a doubt but he is still young and has to develop the other parts of his game which is why I think CD sees him more of an impact substitute. KRO!

[@JustMyFish]

3-0 blues. Wexham lost to the shrews we have to build a gap.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. Agree, we need to keep collecting the points and open up a gap if we can. KRO!

[@Hammy1962]

Blues 2-0 exeter.... a bit of a stroll....KRO...👍

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. That’s the scoreline I’ve gone for as well! KRO!

[@franknightingale6116]

WREXHAM lost to Shrewsbury Wycombe have lost a good manager This is our chance to open up a gap. Therefore my forecaste - BLUES 1 - 1 EXETER

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Looking good for Blues now. Thanks, KRO! :)

[@OCBCFC]

Harris and Leonard circus again