Often Partisan

Chim Chiminee – The Burnley preview

Barely seventy-two hours after Saturday’s disappointing draw against Peterborough United, Blues are back at St Andrews in the Championship against the Clarets of Burnley. With Burnley currently languishing in twenty-first place and without a win in three, this is an ideal chance for Blues to return to winning ways.

Burnley FC

Ex Preston NE, Sunderland and Celtic midfielder Ross Wallace faces a late fitness test for this game, and with strikers Martin Paterson and Charlie Austin definitely out Tuesday may see a first start for on-loan Wolves striker Sam Vokes.

Burnley come to Blues on the back of three successive defeats and without a clean sheet since the beginning of October. In seven away games this season Burnley have won three and lost four, scoring seven goals and conceding eleven. They will be looking to bounce back from losing to Leeds United on Saturday having taken the lead at Turf Moor

Birmingham City

Liam Ridgewell joins Morgaro Gomis and Jordon Mutch on the injured list for this match, meaning David Murphy will continue in the left back berth after his MOTM performance against Peterborough United. Gomis should be back for the Blackpool game at the weekend, whereas Mutch is a couple of weeks away from full training. This game should also mark Stephen Carr’s 100th league game for the club.

The big question for me is centre midfield – I thought both Fahey and Spector were fairly poor against Peterborough and I’d be disappointed if Chris Hughton doesn’t change things slightly to give a better creative outlet in the middle. I expect we’ll probably see changes up top too; maybe with Nikola Zigic given a start partnering Marlon King in the front two slot.

This is a game Blues really should win if we’re to show any intention of heading towards the top of the table. Burnley aren’t in good form, they’re conceding goals every game and are in a run of defeats. Blues need some momentum before a tough trip to Bloomfield Road – and I’d like us to be back in form before we head out to Braga next week. It’s all down to how the midfield sets up – whoever plays in the middle has to believe in themselves enough that they can get forwards and support the attacks as well as do their defensive role. I also think it’s vitally important Blues try to shoot more; attacks broke down too often against the Posh particularly in the second half because we tried to play through them when a quicker ball forward may have helped on occasion.

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5 Responses to “Chim Chiminee – The Burnley preview”

  • Blue Steve says:

    Not sure we have too many options in centre midfield with injuries to Mutch and Gomis. However I would like to see N’Daw given a go this evening. Whether he will bring mutch creatvity I am not sure. While Fahey has been poor lately he can pick a pass better than Spector and if a change is made I would prefer to see N’Daw and Fahey rather than N’Daw and Spector. Agree also that Zig should start alongside King. KRO..

  • Masaccio says:

    I hope CH has looked at the performance last Saturday and all the comments made about the midfield before picking the team tonight. I’d like to see N’Daw and Elliot given a go in the middle of the park tonight.

  • Denis Thwaites says:

    If N’Daw plays then it will blow my theory that there is some financial reason why he does not figure in Championship games but plays in Europe. We shall see!!! If we are to set out our stall to win this game then we might benefit from starting Elliot in central mid this evening as I think he plays positively which is a must at home against sides that are on a losing run. if N’Daw doesn’t play then it’s a pick between Fahey or Spector neither of whom look particularly comfortable in the opposition’s half. l do hope both full backs keep bombing on this evening like they did in the first half on Saturday. It’s a brave approach but if persevered with then the chances will surely come and be converted. In truth my gut feel is that CH despite being disappointed by the result on Saturday will stick to 10 of the 11 that played on Saturday and play Zigic from the start at the expense of Wood.

  • Dan says:

    beausejour back in the centre and redmond out on the left?

  • Aussiebrum says:

    Redmond was exciting when he came on.


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