Birmingham City will be seeking their first victory under the management of Wayne Rooney as Sky Bet Championship title chasers Ipswich Town are welcomed to St Andrew’s Stadium on Saturday.
Progressively losing confidence the longer Blues’ poor run of form goes on, Rooney will be desperate to give fans something to cheer. Three defeats, against Middlesbrough, Hull City and Southampton, have dropped Birmingham to 14th but it could get worse still.
Another loss to Ipswich could see Blues plummet as low as 20th if every other result goes against them. Just drawing would do a remarkable amount in building faith in Rooney but Ipswich have been brutal this campaign.
Kieran McKenna’s side are new to the division following their promotion from Sky Bet League One last season, but you’d never know it. The Tractor Boys have won 11 out of their 13 fixtures so far, losing just once and that defeat was against Leeds United.
Rooney will be well aware of Ipswich’s threat and so he’s likely to take a slight step back from his gung-ho tactics, perhaps even utilising injury returnee Ethan Laird in a new position. With that in mind, here’s the starting XI we think Blues will name on Saturday.
1. GK: John Ruddy
Three successive defeats in between the sticks but Blues would’ve suffered far worse had Ruddy not been on the field.
2. RB: Cody Drameh
Struggled against Saints winger Kamaldeen Sulemana last weekend but most right-backs would as he’s a terrific player. Drameh will be aiming to bounce back.
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
Came into the side to replace Kevin Long last time out and did a decent job. We reckon Sanderson and Aiwu could be the new partnership going forward.