The shape of things to come at Blues for Pep
BIRMINGHAM City began the next phase of their pre-season preparations when they returned to Wast Hills this week.
Fresh from their training camp in Portugal, Blues are into a new stage, with successive games against Swindon and Bristol City.
Pep Clotet’s men face Swindon in a rearranged game at Wast Hills tomorrow afternoon and then go to Bristol Rovers, where they will be backed by a large travelling contingent on Saturday. They will do so using the new formation which was unveiled against Portuguese opposition in Setúbal.
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Shape shifters: The most obvious thing was the change of system. There is a certainty within the club that 4-4-2 is not a formation with which to get promoted, hence the switch to a more fashionable threeat-the-back, four-in-midfield shape with various nuances in the attacking positions.
On Thursday that was a 2-1, with Odin Bailey and Kerim Mrabti playing behind a central striker. On Saturday it was a 1-2, with Mrabti operating off Lukas Jutkiewicz and Isaac Vassell.
Clotet explained his thinking: “We want to avoid being counter-attacked against and we would like to try to regain the ball as quickly as possible. That set-up allows us to defend with one player less but be more aggressive in the centre.”
Clotet crunched his numbers in an end-of-season review and was stunned that last season’s team, designed not to be countered on, conceded so many goals on the break. He is also confident that converting full-backs to play on the side of a defensive three is not too big an issue.
The matches against Cova da Piedade and Vitoria FC produced mixed results, with Blues relatively untroubled against Cova but more defensively inconvenienced by Setúbal, a Primeira Liga outfit.
The change of shape, though, demands a change of personnel.
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Monk’s devotion to a 4-4-2 was based on the players he had – and, while Jacques Maghoma and Jota might like to have played further upfield, they operated in wing roles for the greater good.
However, Blues have put the cart before the horse slightly in this scenario, they have opted for a system with the intention of recruiting players to implement it.
It’s probably not an exaggeration to say they need at least four new faces.
At least one striker, one established centre-back and a couple of midfielders, perhaps one attacking and the other defensive, are required in the next two or three weeks.
Blues are well stocked in many positions – goalkeeper, wing-backs, even central midfielders – but the loss of Che Adams and Jota has left them short of creativity. That was clear before the games kicked off.
Coaching shake-up: Paco Herrera is Clotet’s right-hand man. The remaining members of Monk’s backroom staff are still working with the squad but Clotet is most commonly seen in conversation with Herrera.
Asked about his new assistant, Clotet was effusive about what the former Liverpool No.2 brings.
He cited his experience working in this country, his time as a technical director and his experience bringing young players through.
Among other things, Herrera spent time working with Blues’ defenders as they make the systemic change.
Herrera will be a key ally.
On Gard: Craig Gardner has stepped forward into a senior, playercoach role and has taken to it with real determination. Having spent a couple of weeks in Northern Ireland working towards his coaching badges, Gardner has put theory into practice since his return to the squad.
Like Herrera, he has spent considerable time with Clotet – something not lost on Harlee Dean, who said: “He’s very organised now and first to everything, constantly on the Whats App group telling all the boys timings – then he goes out and plays football with us as well. He’s doing a great job.”
Gardner has been bitten by the coaching bug and, having Birmingham City so close to his heart, has thrown himself into his new role with gusto. It was noticeable that when Jude Bellingham and Bailey missed penalties in the shoot-outs, it was Gardner who embraced them and dispensed words of advice.
Gardner could have something important to offer off the field of play.
Hey Jude: The Beatles number is what the rookie sang for his firstteam initiation. Despite only recently turning 16, Bellingham does not look out of place in training and has had his first taste of senior football – off the bench in both matches.
Blues are thrilled he has signed a two-year scholarship and Clotet said there is a feeling he is best served by being exposed to the next level.
However, the Spaniard also wants to make sure there is not too much pressure put on a youngster.
Bellingham played up front and behind a central striker in his two appearances and seems well-suited to No.10 – when he is ready.
Open goal: Blues took three goalkeepers – and used all of them. Somewhat surprisingly, Connal Trueman played the most minutes – the full 90 against Vitoria, plus the penalty shoot-out.
Lee Camp had the first half against Cova, while David Stockdale, who seemed fully reintegrated, the second. The door that seemed bricked shut to Stockdale’s claims 12 months ago, is fully open.
From seeing the three play, there didn’t seem to be too much between them. Stockdale is clearly rusty after a season in exile, Trueman still learning his trade but has promise.
Camp’s status as the man-in-possession-of-the-shirt will not count for anything in Clotet’s mind: “I need to treat it like a clean slate for everyone and pick based on merit.”