Birmingham City return to St Andrew's Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they play host to Championship relegation battlers Sheffield Wednesday. Back after a two-week interval for international action, Blues will be desperate to earn their first win of the Wayne Rooney era – especially as questions will be asked if they don't.
Four defeats and one draw have seen Birmingham plummet from sixth in the table to 18th in just a matter of weeks, but a fortnight of little interruption is likely to have helped Rooney's tactics bed in somewhat. Wednesday, meanwhile, have won just one of their 16 matches this season, leaving them rock bottom of the standings.
Failing to win this weekend would be disastrous for Rooney and his men, therefore we think the system deployed will be similar to the most successful game yet – against Ipswich Town. With that in mind, here are the 11 players we reckon Rooney will start in a 4-4-2 diamond formation.
1. GK: John Ruddy
Isn’t really at threat of losing his spot between the sticks, even with a more than capable backup in Neil Etheridge.
2. RB: Ethan Laird
Arguably the player of the season so far for Birmingham and simply has to play when available.
3. CB: Dion Sanderson
Although the skipper leading the time throughout such torrid form, it’s not through fault of his own. Sanderson remains as one of the first names on the team sheet.
4. CB: Emanuel Aiwu
Rooney has trusted the Austrian as Sanderson’s new counterpart and we’re expecting that trend to continue. Kevin Long is also a doubt with a calf issue.