Birmingham City Reflects on Challenges as Patrick Roberts Inspires

Birmingham City finds itself reflecting on a challenging start to the Championship season as they prepare for the upcoming international break. The team accumulated only five points from their last five matches, concluding with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Wrexham on October 6, 2023. Currently sitting in 16th place, the club aims to regroup and refocus as they navigate the remainder of the campaign.

Patrick Roberts, who netted the equaliser in the match against Wrexham, has emerged as a voice of experience within the squad. Having recently celebrated promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland through the play-offs, Roberts understands the ups and downs of a season. He noted, “I lost 3-0 to Coventry last year and we ended up in the play-offs and we won the play-offs. You can’t count this team out.”

Roberts emphasized the importance of unity and perseverance, stating, “The start of the season is always the same; you can have a good month and a bad month, but it’s how you pull in the right direction.” He expressed confidence in the coaching staff, particularly in manager **Chris Davies**, to address weaknesses during the international break. “We’ll work on things and come the next game after the break we’ll be back ready. We’ve just got to take it one game at a time,” he added.

Defensive Concerns and Set Pieces

One of the pressing issues for Birmingham City has been their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly during set pieces. According to data from **WhoScored**, the team has conceded six goals from dead ball situations this season. This trend was evident in the match against Wrexham, where **Josh Windass’s** corner led to a goal by **Max Cleworth**, with **George Dobson** converting from close range.

The defensive setup has been scrutinized, as missed assignments have allowed opponents to capitalize. **Lyndon Dykes** was marking Cleworth, but a lapse from **Christoph Klarer** left Dobson unmarked in a critical area. Improving set piece defending is essential for Birmingham City to stabilize their performance as they continue in the Championship.

Young Talent and Former Stars Making Strides

Among Birmingham’s prospects is **Alfie Chang**, a graduate of the club’s academy, who is currently on loan at **Bristol Rovers**. After a brief stint at **Walsall**, where he narrowly missed out on promotion in May, Chang has begun to establish himself at Rovers. Despite facing defeat against Walsall in his latest outing, he has started five consecutive games and is gaining valuable experience under manager **Darrell Clarke**.

Another former Birmingham player, **Cameron Jerome**, has transitioned into a mentoring role after retiring from professional football. On the **Keep Right On Podcast**, Jerome discussed his new path, which involves advising strikers on improving their performance through data analytics and technical training. He shared, “From that point of view, mentoring people and having those five or 10 minute chats with people, especially the younger players, can have such a big impact on them.”

Jerome highlighted the importance of integrating experience with modern training methods, stating, “Being a forward, I was always asked my opinion on defences and forwards of certain teams.” His insights reflect an evolving approach to player development in football.

As Birmingham City navigates the challenges of the Championship, the contributions of experienced players like Roberts and Jerome, along with the potential of young talents like Chang, will be crucial in shaping the team’s path forward. With a renewed focus on defensive organization and teamwork, the Blues hope to improve their standings and reclaim their competitive edge in the league.