Birmingham City v Wigan Athletic (A) 2024/25 Pre-Match Analysis; Key Players, Stats, Line Ups

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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[@KeithWard-dz2yf]

I think a hard fought 1 - 1, I think Wigan are a better side than their league position suggests. What concerns me is about the fatigue question is , we've played fewer games than most other sides in our division, and have got by far the largest and better quality squad, why hasn't it been utilised? Why have key players been run into the ground and now it's coming back to bite us. I do think tho, that with one or two additional players, and the pitches firming up in a few weeks time, we will be ok. I hope we bring in a big physical number 9, who is capable of mixing it with some of the center half's in this league who are bullying our forwards at corners and set pieces. Because sorry to say Dykes is not the answer

[@michaelthomascoaching5003]

"I agree with the need to freshen up the team after a busy Christmas period. While the recent draws have been frustrating, they shouldn't deter us from our ultimate goal: winning the league. This league is a marathon, not a sprint, and we must maintain our momentum. I anticipate a close match against Wigan. Their previous encounter with us was a tight affair, and I wouldn't be surprised to see another narrow victory for Birmingham City. Great podcast, as always, keep right on!

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@Mikeyblue-s4u]

Hi both. Very good assessment of Blues problems. I have always liked 3 at the back. In this league 1, it should work well. Hopefully January will see a strong central striker and the same quality at centre half. Wigan have rested for a decent time, so a narrow Wigan win. Kro. Thank you both for the interesting show.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@franknightingale6116]

Ditch Dykes. Rest Paik. Jukey 45 mins. Wright and Yoko should feature. May and Stanno 45 mins. each Leonard and Iwata in midfield. Although Cochrane must still have a sore foot he will still play. I hate to say I told you so but previously I said that we could run out of options as regards injuries.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@Ianw-p8n]

May has been be number 9 he has proven season after season he can get 20 in that role just a win I be happy with KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@steveg4159]

Interesting thoughts and discussion. I like the idea of 3-5-2 , Agree certain players, Beilik, Iwata, Willumson even Stanno need a break....BUT at the moment those coming from the bench havent made a significant difference in recent times. I would go much the same as Stockport with perhaps Leonard 4 Willumson and Laird 4 TGH to give us that 'pace' from wide. Difficult one though...one final push to end this Xmas/New Year period. For me must not lose.(but hope we win) .12/18 points over Xmas / New Year would not be a bad return (2 points per game average) particularly as this is the 5th game in 13 days....KRO ....

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@joeswift5296]

Agreed, another tough game to negotiate and if we don’t win it, it’s no wins in three. Tough away six pointer fixtures coming up as well and injuries piling up.. I agree we should be using the squad more effectively as well.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@RainJoltik]

100% on the tiredness, as my comment on the previous video, i think we surely need some signings to rotate the squad and keep players rested, we cant rely on just 11 players. Kro

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@BB49.]

We need some inspiration from somewhere some flair or another dull and tense game incoming perhaps a 1-0 win or 1-1 draw

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@johnmalin1676]

Great Vlog as usual Gaz and Matt. I called the Stockport game right in your comments. I think Gary predicted that game 2 -2 , i called it 1 - 1. I'm going to call the same on this one, 1-1. Actually got tickets for this game, first away match this season for me and my Lad. 😊KRO Lads. I'll say hi if i see you there.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment John which is greatly appreciated. Definitely come over and say hello if you see us at Wigan! KRO!

[@NickMcAndrew-h7u]

Another difficult game as they all seem to be we need to find a victory by any means then we can rest all of them for the Fa cup and virtu cup. Thank you guys KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@nkskro80]

I can see this being another 1-1 away draw. We’re so used to these type of sides raising their game against us so I expect nothing less from Wigan. Happy new year Matt & Gary. KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. Happy New Year to you too. KRO!

[@michaelquinn3301]

About time we turned up with a cup final mentality! I think this should be one! 1-0 blues

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@pulpet9193]

Tough game tomorrow, you're right,the players looked shattered 2nd half against Stockport. I'll go for a leggy 1 nil win. Have a great weekend guys, hopefully we'll be happy tomorrow night! KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@Brumizona]

CD won't play Yoko because he doesnt pass backwards enough and likes to take people on

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. Good Brummie sarcasm! Love it! KRO!

[@2002ChrisK]

There has to be a plan B when we fade like we did in out last game, like being dangerous on the counter like I've mentioned before. Put Yoko wide left and just tell him to run at people and beat them.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@nicks7870]

I'd go - Same formation as you both syggested....4-2-3-1 Allsop Laird Klarer Davis Cochrane Yokoyama (lw) TGH Leonard Wright (rw) Stansfield May Agree fully on Williumson/Paik/Iwata and Beilek look jaded and need a rest and I'm sure Stanno played number 10 last season for a few games. Great pre-game assesment as usual fellas...KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@stephen3511]

Agreed with most of the points you both raised. Not certain CD has rotated the squad as well as he could have. Think Paik and WW need a few games out the team to come back recharged. Leonard and Yoko need more minutes and Dykes shouldn’t even be in the bench. Agreed with Gary: 3-5-2. Edit: Gary next Blues boss!

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Stephen which is greatly appreciated. Not sure about me being the next Blues boss though, who would do the podcast? 😂KRO!

[@stephen3511]

Haha… good point 👍🏻

[@bostonbrum5288]

I think you're both hitting the nail on the head with the tiredness. This is definitely the game to use your full allotment of subs. Throw the kitchen sink squad at them to get through this game, 45 minutes and off for a few players. We have Sanderson also, throw him in there in Bielik's spot if need be. We need to stop putting 1st teamers in the cup games also, we're just exposing them to more potential injuries. The league has to be priority for us fatigue is our enemy and makes players more susceptible to injuries. Narrow 1-0 win would be great. KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. Very true, a victory by any margin is what’s needed! KRO!

[@thomasdocker6077]

At this level we should be playing 3-5-2 imo. Big three at the back (Klara/Bielik/Davies), double pivot CM and two up top (May and Stansfield). Puts an extra man higher up and gives May Stansfield opportunity to form a lethal striking duo.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@Wh4991]

Great pod as always gents - how much are we missing Koji Myoshi?!

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. I have to honest Myoshi was a decent player but he got knocked off the ball to easy. Keshi is much better in that position in my opinion. KRO!

[@Wh4991]

@ agree and disagree - he’s definitely weaker .. but can pick a pass, versatile in his positions and picked up 6 goals and assists last season. Either way, think we are lacking the quality in creating chances currently. Hope we win saturday! Kro

[@standfortruth4568]

*Thor has said in Iceland & other nordic countries they don't play over* *xmas. This maybe a factor in his jaded form he not use to it he needs a break*

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@robertmowbray4566]

Forgot the cups lads, let's consentrate on top spot

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@PaulElstins-gt2qc]

MORE 👉 GARY AND MATT I HOPE THE ROYAL BLUES 🙏 WIN 3-0 AT WIGAN.... 2-2 DRAW .... PLEASE A BIG WIN HAPPY TIMES FOR THE ROYAL BLUES 😃 💙 🔵👃.... K.R.O ..

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@Hammy1962]

wigan 1-1 Blues... for those going for the 1st time, great for away fans, 4600, you will love it...KRO...

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Hammy which is greatly appreciated. Should be a good one. We will get there! KRO!

[@Doug.swoff186]

Just a thought would it be effective if we pushed belik into defensive midfield to allow paik and iwata to push more forward to create more for attacking players . Hopefully get a win whatever chris does and we kro

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@KevinThornton-b6b]

Gone off the boil lately , I'm happy we got 2 points from last 2 games as we could easily of got nothing , hopefully a better performance tomorrow

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@paulw9873]

Not to rain on the parade but I think we could all have a good guess who will be the no 10 if it isn't Willumson? Not having a go at CD as I think he has the potential of being a great manager & could take us to the promised land but he does seem to have blinkers with the odd player or two.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@RobertLindsay-zi1je]

Hi lads another tough game I can see this game similar to the Stockport game not wanting to be negative but again I'll take a point there legs are a lot more fresher then ours kro

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@johnmcshane4611]

As long as we put Yoko in we have a better chance got to use wingers win games

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@JerrySmith-cy9ds]

We really haven't been playing well for weeks tbh .I no we have alot of injuries. But we have enough to be beaten these teams .we have no width. I think we need to go back in the market to freshen things up

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@gazzabcfc693]

Think Wigan will sneak a 1 nil win as we are so poor in the final third hope I'm wrong 😬

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Gazza which is greatly appreciated. Really hope you are wrong mate! KRO!

[@michaelstaley2241]

Hi Gentlemen, it will be a very hard game why doesn’Mark Leonard get more game time . A lot of games naturally players are fatigued we definitely need fresh players coming in the Blackpool game we were outplayed and Stockport unfortunately.. possibly a narrow win .. KRO.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@leefox3834]

I went to the home game when it went threw peacocks legs and we scored last minute and which I missed coz I left whoops

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@JustMyFish]

Willumsson is very fatigued he has been moved about to much Iwata looks fatigued Billek also. Davise needs to utilise the squad more IMO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@DavidWilliams-u6i]

Yokoyama left, stansfield right x Taylor Hickman and Leonard in midfield, Harris 10, Alfie up front

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@bcfc18751]

I predict a 3-0 win!! 😉

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

You are a psychic, how do you do it?! KRO! 😂

[@nigelpeake9856]

Time to break the glass ceiling Wigan will be as tired as Blues with less options - 3 nil Blues - put your shirt on it 👍 KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you for your comment Nigel which is greatly appreciated. Wigan’s last game assist Huddersfield was called off so they will be fresher than us however hopefully we can get back to winning ways in this one. KRO!

[@nigelpeake9856]

@ hope you had your shirt on it! 3nil! KRO

[@PaulElstins-gt2qc]

😉 YES GARY AND MATT WIGAN 0 BIRMINGHAM CITY 3 ...STANSFIELD 1 GOAL AND MAY GOAL'S YES 😊 👉 5.000 AT WIGAN MORE TO COME FROM THE ROYAL BLUES YES HAPPY TIMES 👉 🔵👃..K.R.O

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

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

[@007artico]

Don't laugh at this , but how about re-calling Longello . At least he knows the club. He may work?. KRO

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. Somebody else suggested this as well. In my opinion he is not the answer though. KRO!

[@XTR985]

As a Wrexham fan listening in to your Injury and Fatigue issues, what’s your Personal thoughts on Blues continuation in the FA Cup and Vertu Cup? Whilst your No.1 Priority is League Promotion

[@josephlinekar5398]

I think initially, we welcomed the game congestion since we have a big squad, and the cups give us opportunities to get minutes and sharpness into less-used players. However, we have tired players and a whole bag of injured wingers to deal with now. No doubt we will still play them to win but we will be forced to play a weaker more rotated team in the cups.

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. Like all teams our priority will undoubtedly be the league however I also think the club will want to try to win the EFL trophy and get as far as possible in the FA cup. The same question back to you. How about Wrexham? KRO!

[@XTR985]

@BCFCRoyalBluewell here’s the thing we don’t actually know what the Clubs are up to, we are second guessing However what do I know, as a Lower League Team, we have quite a good history in the FA Cup, working our way through the earlier rounds However it didn’t surprise me that we got dumped out the FA, I was actually happy Weekend 11/01 Wrexham have the weekend off We are also up to speed with League games, so at the moment no Tuesday night catch up games Cup Matches and Tuesday night catch up games has to start impacting on recovery and fatigue levels, fatigue will then ultimately impact on motivation

[@Bluey1950]

Expecting another boring display..

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. I certainly hope not! KRO!

[@DonnaKRO82]

Yeah great POD as always! TBF I don’t understand why our players are so tired… Stockport players had bundles of energy. Maybe nutrition needs looking at or is it that we don’t have rotation enough. I feel CD thinks we have depth in squad but not in quality so reluctant to rotate. All teams are gunning for us so unless CD has come up with a plan B I’d say Wigan will be rubbing their hands going for the win. So I am going to say… and it absolutely kills me to say it we will lose 2-0 I can just feel it coming. Changes I would make Leonard in for Williumsson, I don’t trust Laird to defend he is great going forward with his pace. Yokohama to start give the lad a chance! What has CD got to lose, we will not win if he uses the same team he put out for Stockport. I hope I am wrong and I am forced to eat my own words. KRO 💙🤍🫶🏼

[@BCFCRoyalBlue]

Thank you very much for your comment Donna which is greatly appreciated. I really hope you are wrong as well but to be honest you and I and every Blues fan know that we never make things easy for ourselves! KRO!