Birmingham City make the jaunt to Ipswich Town on Easter Monday looking for a big improvement
06:00, 06 Apr 2026
August Priske of Birmingham City in action
Making mass changes between Championship games isn’t healthy but Chris Davies can’t just sit on his hands after another uninspiring performance from Birmingham City against Blackburn on Good Friday.
Davies arguably needs performances more than results right now with another sold-out away end – around 2,000 Bluenoses – looking to be entertained with little to play for in the Championship table.
Away days in the Championship don’t come much more daunting than Ipswich. The Tractor Boys have earned 43 points from their 20 games at Portman Road – only league leaders Coventry City have a better home record.
No one needs reminding that Blues’ results on the road have been pretty dire this season but, in case you do, 12 defeats in 20 games and a -15 goal difference puts them in the bottom four of the away table.
There are some selections Davies should make to help himself, such as the return of Phil Neumann. The German centre-back hasn’t been what was advertised, but Blues’ results have been considerably better with Neumann next to Christoph Klarer. Jack Robinson nor Jonathan Panzo have done enough to keep Neumann out.
Tomoki Iwata has taken some stick of late but he is Blues’ best bet at right-back if Ethan Laird has to continue at left-back.
The midfield balance has rarely looked right this season but the combination of Paik Seung-ho and Jhon Solis was used during Blues’ best run of results in January and February.
It makes sense to start Carlos Vicente and August Priske in the front four, particularly Priske who looked bright as a substitute on Friday.
The 6ft 4in Dane has all of the attributes to be successful in the Championship and Blues worked hard to sign him, so playing him in preparation for next season is a must.
Equally, if Priske starts, we should be lenient on him given the strength of the opposition. So far the 21-year-old has only started away games at Norwich, Millwall and Charlton, so this isn’t the game to judge him either – we will learn more when he gets a consistent run of games that includes starts at St Andrew’s.
Vicente has to be the supply line for Priske. The Spaniard has an appetite to deliver early crosses that Priske should thrive on and his speed could be handy against an Ipswich side that will likely dominate the ball.
Davies should fill the other two positions in his front four with mobility and experience. This isn’t the game for Marvin Ducksch.
Jay Stansfield should fill the position behind Priske and the gauntlet needs to be thrown down to Demarai Gray.
Gray hasn’t been anywhere near his best since returning from injury in the New Year and Blues need a big performance from a player many expected to be their talisman in the Championship.
How should Blues line up?
(4-2-3-1): Beadle; Iwata, Neumann, Klarer, Laird; Solis, Paik; Vicente, Stansfield, Gray; Priske
Ins: Neumann, Solis, Vicente, Gray, Priske
Outs: Robinson, Doyle, Roberts, Osman, Ducksch
Do you agree? Have your say in the comments…
