Birmingham City will be desperate to put an end to their horrendous run of results as they take on Cardiff City away from home on Wednesday evening. Wayne Rooney has managed just one win in his first nine matches in charge and Blues are the worst form team in the entire Championship over that period.
It was a 2-0 defeat to local rivals Coventry City last time out as Callum O'Hare netted twice to sink an injury-struck Birmingham team. Dion Sanderson missed his first game of the season, while Ethan Laird and Cody Drameh's absences meant Juninho Bacuna had to fill in as an auxiliary right-back.
Some of those fitness issues have been resolved since last Friday but Rooney will still be scratching his head with several key players out. A change of system could be in order as the new manager attempts to turn the tide – perhaps a return to the 4-4-2 diamond that saw Blues claim a point against Ipswich Town.
With that adjustment in tactics in mind, here are the 11 players we think Rooney will start at Cardiff City Stadium.
1. GK: John Ruddy
Ruddy impressed at Coventry despite defeat as he kept Blues in the game with a string of superb saves.
2. RB: Juninho Bacuna
Remains the auxiliary right-back as Drameh is out with a rolled ankle and Laird is a new long-term absentee.
3. CB: Dion Sanderson
The skipper saw his run of starts finally come to an end as he didn’t play at Coventry due to some foot pain. Rooney expects Sanderson to be back this week.
4. CB: Marc Roberts
Roberts starting again is perhaps controversial but he provided an important aerial presence on Friday. New signing Emanuel Aiwu, on the other hand, is in poor form.