After a disappointing defeat at the hands of Burnley, Lee Clark needs a win to try and relieve some of the pressure on his shoulders. Whilst it can be argued he is doing an impossible job, puzzling team selections and bizarre substitutions have left many Blues fans disillusioned. Blues are dangling perilously above the relegation zone on a meagre 4 points, but not without a lot of bad luck both in matches and the fixture list. Having played 3 teams that finished in the top 6, the incredibly wealthy QPR and high-flying Burnley in the first 7 games has made life difficult, especially with 2 key players having not played so far this season in dynamic full-back David Murphy and Serbian giant Nikola Zigic, with playmaker Scott Allan possibly facing a spell on the sidelines as well.
With this poor start to the season in mind, Saturday's clash with Sheffield Wednesday is a crucial game for everyone involved with the club. The 'R' word has been thrown around with fans but a win on Saturday could remove some of those doubts. The players need a win for their morale, Clark needs a win to get the fans onside (although it will take more than one win) and the club needs a win to improve the general feel around the club. However Sheffield Wednesday are not without their own problems, having not won in 6 games. They sit level with Blues on 4 points, but above on goal difference as they have scored 6 league goals, compared to Blues' feeble 4 goals.
Wednesday have had some problems defensively, however. In order to try and sort out the defensive issue, Dave Jones has brought in no other than ex-Blues defender Roger Johnson, who can expect a less than warm welcome from the Blues faithful. Only one player from Wednesday has scored more than one goal this season - Atdhe Nuhiu, a 6'6 striker who signed from Rapid Vienna in the summer. Wednesday aren't a team blessed with too many big name players, but have many who are accomplished Championship players. Blues will be hoping their experience of the league don't help them get the better of the side on Saturday.
Blues may actually struggle aerially, which won't happen too often this season, but Wednesday are a very tall team. The previously mentioned Nuhiu, 6'7, and Anthony Gardner, 6'5, could cause aerial problems for Blues. This means that the easiest way for a team to get at the defence would be to get behind the defence with pace. Matt Green could be the key, being the only fit striker with genuine pace. Scott Allan could have been very important, due to his creative ability, but after being forced off on Monday, it seems unlikely that he will play.
Whether Clark will go with a 4-3-3 system, or the previously preferred 3-5-2 or even the 3-4-3 system played at QPR is anyone's guess. What I do know, is that he needs to get it right. Saturday is, in my eyes, the first must-win game of the season.
I couldn't agree with you more, nice blog btw
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