Birmingham City manager Lee Bowyer on why it’s going to be a tough game against Stoke

After a slow start to life with the Potters, former Northern Ireland manager Martin O’Neill is starting to put his own print on his side.

They enjoyed a productive January transfer window as O’Neill added the likes of Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker, Bordeaux striker Josh Maja and Manchester City’s highly-rated defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis to his squad.

Results have improved since the window closed just under three weeks ago and the Potters head into Saturday’s game looking for a win that would boost their hopes of making a late-season push for a play-off place.

“Is it going to be a tough game? Yes!”

Bowyer admitted he had been impressed by the work conducted by O’Neill - but challenged his own players to expose the weaknesses he has identified in the opposition ranks.

He said: “He (O’Neill) has done a good job, it’s taken time, he’s been there for a while now and he’s been given the licence to bring in the players to do things the way he wants to play going forwards.

“They had players they had to get out and move on - but you can see they are moving in the right direction.

“They are in and around the play-offs, but it takes time and he was given that time.

“They are getting rewarded for that.

“Is it going to be tough game? Yes!

“Do they have strengths? Yes, but also weaknesses.

“Every team does, including ourselves.

“It’s going to be a tough place to go, there’s no getting away from that, but we have to embrace that challenge and take the game to them.”

“I want my team to play football”

Bowyer also enjoyed a hectic January window as he looks to move towards an attacking style of play he craves.

The former Leeds United and Newcastle United midfielder insisted progress had been made in recent weeks and is hopeful he can remain with the club long enough to see the process through.

“I want my team to play football, create chances and get people off their seats.

“That’s what I want and, in the last few games, I’ve felt we have done that.

“That’s what I want to do going forward and it takes time to get to where we want to be but hopefully I am still here to make this happen and take the club forwards.”

Defensive duo not ready to return

Bowyer confirmed Marc Roberts and George Friend are still unavailable as they continue their comeback from injury - but the defensive duo could be ready to return contention in time for the visit to Bristol City in early March.

Forward trio Scott Hogan, Lyle Taylor and Troy Deeney will also miss the game.

On-loan Manchester United youngster Tahith Chong is back in training but Saturday’s meeting with the Potters could come too soon for his return.

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