And so it begins, under the lights on a Friday night. We open an anticipated Championship season with an away trip to Birmingham City. A side rejuvenated by ambitious American ownership, with a highly-rated young manager in his first job hoping to continue riding the wave of momentum on their return to the Championship. Sound familiar? If you’ve seen any pre-season Championship predictions, particularly the 1-to-24 league table predictions, both Birmingham and us are regularly tipped to finish in the top six. Off the back of a 111-point League One winning campaign, this Birmingham side is arguably stronger than the Ipswich side that shocked many by winning consecutive promotions two years ago. Their first team has also had a strong pre-season, beating the likes of Sevilla and Nottingham Forest. New signings include a trio of promising young loanees, including England U21 first choice goalkeeper James Beadle, promising central midfielder Tommy Doyle from Wolves, and former Derby prospect Eiran Cashin from Brighton. Permanent signings also include the experienced Demarai Gray. With no major departures, Birmingham look ideally placed to be more than comfortable avoiding a relegation dogfight. To add a bit of spice pre-match, TWTD reporting today that we're looking to hijack Birmingham's loan signing of Chuba Akpom, which was expected to go through. As per the last two seasons, I’ll be running the predictions league where hopefully our optimism will be better rewarded with higher points totals! Scoring will be two points for a correct result and five points for the correct scoreline – same as last season. Out of all the opening games of the season, this is one of the more difficult ones we could’ve been given. Potentially we’ll benefit from playing them earlier if they need a bit of time to step up to the Championship standard. I’m predicting a nervy 1-1 draw.
Let’s play starting line up. Davis missed Auxerre with a knock and I think he starts even if not 100%, but if he’s crocked I’ll go Kipre with Greaves in the left back berth. Palmer Young O’Shea Greaves Davis Matusiwa Taylor Clarke Scmodics Johnson Hirst I expect Brum to be intense but to be frustrated by our defence and we will just about edge it. 2-1 Town.
I like the suggested line up and I think that's definitely our best defence, assuming Davis is fit. I'd swap Taylor out for Humphrey, I'd like to see him starting and see if he can build on an impressive League One season for Wycombe. But with Hutchinson's and Broadhead's futures up in the air, and Philogene out with injury, it's tough to think what our best attacking three behind Hirst is. I don't think we need a defensive right-sided winger now we're back in the Championship, I'd prefer that player to be attacking. The best trio would be Hutchinson wide right, Szmodics number 10, and Jack Clarke wide left. If Hutchinson leaves before Friday or refuses to play, then I'd shift Clarke to the right, move Szmodics to the left, and start Chaplin at 10.
That was not my preferred side but my anticipated XI. I would give something like this a try with Matusiwa and Young holding and Davis as a winger as a 3-5-2 when in possession, 5-4-1 with Young and Davis dropping to full back when the opposition has a spell. O’Shea and Greaves cover the defensive full back positions well so I think we would be able to attack without fear of getting caught on the transition. Palmer O’Shea Woolfy Greaves Matusiwa Young Chaplin Davis Ogbene Szmodics Hirst
It's not going to be easy. Both teams will be thinking they can win this one and set them selves up for a promotion push I'll let optimism rule me 1-0 victory. I think the Auxerre 11 will start.
Clearly Nuggets is bored at work! I can see an entertaining game, which Ipswich flatter to deceive with strong runs and a style of play we all like. Brum Newbies have to adjust to this league, but manage a better 2nd half. 2-2 draw, not a bad result.
Haha no comment Gaffer! But thought a matchday thread would be better sooner than later as we're playing on a Friday night
