Often Partisan

Derby County v Birmingham City preview

Well, the new season is upon us. Today sees a Blues team that barely resembles the one that got relegated ten weeks ago travel the short distance to Pride Park to face the Rams of Derby. It’s the Championship.

Having watched last week’s friendly defeat to Everton, I think there are only a few selection decisions for Chris Hughton to face before his first competitive game as Birmingham City manager. Most of the team I believe picks itself, but there are question marks over Ridgewell, Dann and Beausejour slotting back into the Blues team in place of Caldwell, Murphy and Redmond.

I thought Nathan Redmond did very well against Everton, and his pace and trickery would be good to watch in a proper league match. My singular worry is whether he is ready for it. The problem is the only way we’ll find out is if we chuck him at the deep end – and this is where we can move on from last year’s cautiousness. Of course, Redmond isn’t naturally a left winger – he’s right footed, but he seemed to do well enough out on that flank to give Blues the balance in midfield they’ve sorely missed. On the other hand, I’m a big fan of Jean Beausejour – I think he came on leaps and bounds last year and I think he’s a good enough player to attack and score goals as well as cover his full back. The only downside to playing Beausejour is that he’s not played any friendlies because of Copa America duty – will he be sufficiently up to speed on Hughton’s tactics?

I have to admit, I would definitely play Dann over Caldwell. I’ve not been overly impressed with our new Scottish centre back; he was definitely a bit wobbly first half against Hereford and I thought he looked a bit slow against Everton. Admittedly, with respect Derby aren’t going to be as good going forwards as the Toffees were, so mistakes aren’t necessarily going to be so costly. However, Dann is a top player; probably the best we have now and because of that I think we have to pick him regardless of the fact he may go in the transfer window. The same goes for Ridgewell; I think he’s much better at full back than Murphy is and as such we have to go with Liam at left back to ensure we’re at full strength.

My predicted team for the Derby game:

Myhill

Carr Davies Dann Ridgewell

Gomis

Burke Mutch Fahey Redmond

Rooney

with a bench of Doyle, Murphy, Caldwell, Spector and Asante or Wood.

First games of the season are tough to predict, because there isn’t much form to go by. The team above would have five players making their league debut for the club, and it’s a big question if they can all gel into a cohesive unit. In saying that, I think after the performance against Everton that the signs are there that we’ll be a decent team, and thus I’m going for a 2-1 win, with Rooney and Burke to score.

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6 Responses to “Derby County v Birmingham City preview”

  • nigel clough says:

    derby will win pal!!

  • jon says:

    so you wouldnt have beaudejour on bench? or just forgot him? i think its ridiculous that they have reduced the number of subs to 5!

  • onlyme says:

    Its vital we get off to a good start, I watched the Blackpool v Hull Match yesturday, and Hull played some good attacking play, was unlucky to lose, was funny seeing KP & Ferguson playing for the pool, and have to say I think we could mis these guys a bit, Fergy tho look a bit out of sorts.
    Its all about confidence at the beggining of a campaign, we need the momentumn, Im hoping for a 3-1 to blues, that will have the confidence sky high.

  • Papaulski says:

    Agree with most but think your abit unfair on Caldwell. You mention the Hereford game but he was pretty solid all pre season. I would play this team.

    Myhill

    Carr
    Davies
    Caldwell
    Ridgewell

    Burke
    Mutch
    Gomis
    Fahey
    Redmond

    Rooney

    Bench – Doyle, Dann, Spector, Wood, Beausejour

  • kimberley blue says:

    No place for Beasejour , not even on bench?
    Derby will be winning 1-0 at half time and we will scrape a draw at full time 1-1
    Has Michel been sold yet?

  • Giblets says:

    Michelle off to Getafe for 1.5m according to Daily Mail


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