Often Partisan

GAMEDAY: Blues v Gillingham

Birmingham City take on Gillingham tonight in the League Cup for a place in the third round. Justin Edinburgh’s side are top of League One and will be hopeful of adding to the cup upsets that have already taken place in the first round.

Gillingham

Edinburgh is likely to name an unchanged team to the one who won 2-0 over Wigan at the weekend. Cody McDonald was an unused sub in that game and while his knee injury may have subsided some more it might be that Edinburgh decides not to risk him immediately.

Doug Loft, Emanuel Olsadebe and Aaron Morris will all miss out through injury.

Blues

New striker Nicolai Brock-Madsen is still awaiting international clearance and if the paperwork comes through may have to be content with a place on the bench. Adam Legzdins will replace Tomasz Kuszczak in goal while youngsters Reece Brown and Viv Solomon-Otabor could also both be involved.

Wes Thomas is likely to come in for Clayton Donaldson up front while Paul Robinson will probably come in for Michael Morrison in central defence. David Davis, Jacques Maghoma and Andy Shinnie could also feature as Rowett is likely to make changes.

Ref

Graham Salisbury will be in the middle for what will be his fifth game this season. He’s been card-happy already, showing twelve yellows and three reds already this campaign. The last Blues game he was in the middle for was the 2-0 away defeat to Cardiff, in which he booked Jonathan Spector and Paul Caddis

Suspension Watch

2 Yellow Cards: David Davis
1 Yellow Card: Tomasz Kuszczak, Maikel Kieftenbeld, Clayton Donaldson, Jonathan Spector

Edit

It’s been confirmed Nicolai Brock-Madsen has received clearance to make his debut.

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27 Responses to “GAMEDAY: Blues v Gillingham”

  • Barny Blue says:

    Would love to see both Arthur and Soloman-Otabor given significant game time tonight, but Maghoma will more than likely start wide-left. Appears that we are blessed with options in the wide-areas all of a sudden, with a different variety of wingers that can play on either flank.
    Result obviously important, and expect a win despite Gillingham’s excellent start to the season and the fact that we will rotate the squad. However, fingers crossed for no injuries and suspensions (bit nervous reading about the refs card-happy nature with Robbo, Spector, Kieftenbeld and Davis in mind!). 2-1 to the boys in royal blue! KRO!

  • Richard Granfield says:

    There is speculation in newspapers this morning that Leicester are considering a bid for Demarai Gray.
    Gary is also extolling the attributes of Solomon- Otabor. I hope they are not connected as although I rate V.S.O I don’t believe he is an adequate Gray replacement.

    • Adam True Blue says:

      Having rejected bids from bournemouth and tying Gray in to a new 3 year contract, I personally think that the young star is part of Mr Rowetts long term plans, I would be sad to see him go before he has grown to his full potential with us, but I will probably be proved wrong. Kro

    • almajir says:

      I don’t think the Gray stuff is anything more than newspaper rumours tbh.

      • Adam True Blue says:

        I agree with you, but the more rumours there are, the higher his profile will get which will create more rumours and the chance of us receiving an offer that is too good to refuse, which is a position I would not like to see us in until the conclusion of this season, I feel with the silly prices being paid currently in the championship we would not be able to replace like for better, not with our present finances. Kro

  • Adam True Blue says:

    Now that the back four are starting to ‘Gel’ a bit and play more like a team, it would be nice to keep a clean sheet tonight, but that probably will not happen with the team rotations, will settle for the win.
    Kro

  • Dave Mann says:

    A bit of a banana skin this one and our second string will after be at there game tonight because Gillingham are flying , let’s see what the Brock, Reece brown, Solomon – otobar and Koby can do because it’s there chance to shine and if they don’t it will continue to be warming the bench time for all of them .. 3-1 and 8,750 crowd ! Kro

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Although Gillingham have got off to a good start, we should still be beating sides like this if we have aspirations of pushing for the play-offs. I know we’ve been on the sharp end of a few upsets over the years, but even with a few fringe players in, we should still see off our League 1 opponents. I’d give the players we could least afford to lose (eg Morrison/Toral/Donaldson) a night off.

    Legzdins; Eardley, Spector, Robinson, Grounds; Brown, Davis; Cotterill, Shinnie, Maghoma; Thomas.

    Subs: Kusczcak, Caddis, Hancox, Kieftenbeld, Gleeson, Soloman-Otabor, Brock-Madsen

    • Barny Blue says:

      Agree with all but one Staffs – would have Koby in for Cotts. Don’t think GR will start Brown and will prob go with Gleeson alongside Davis, but like you I feel he should get an opportunity. KRO!

      • StaffsBlue says:

        To be honest Barney, I’m never sure where Arthur fits in. Is he a winger, a striker, a No.10? I have to admit, he’s never in my thoughts when thinking of the team. Maybe if he’d been used more, I’d have a more informed view of him.

        • Barny Blue says:

          Fair point Staffs. That’s really the main reason why I would like him involved and given a chance to impress in these type of games. – to impress, develop, and find his place in the squad/ 1st team.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I agree. With Rowett more or less sticking to a favoured XI, these are the only games where those outside it can get a game.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Looks about right with team & subs and it should be good enough to beat Gillingham but there’s a shock in there and I just hope we continue our unbeaten home run to 11 games . Kro

  • David L says:

    Justin Edinburgh – and his sides are no mugs.

    I think at this stage last year (or the one before) he took his newly-promoted Newport County side to WBA and won 2-1 .

    Expect tough, direct no-nonsense opposition.

  • oldburyblue says:

    I think the starting line-up tonight will be dictated by GR wanting to keep certain players “sweet”. Although I would like the opportunity to see BrockM from the start I also think Wes Thomas deserves an opportunity also. Ref Viv S-O…the 1st time I saw him I marked my Team Sheet with “1 2 watch” so it will be interesting to see how he performs in amongst better players.

  • Blue graham says:

    Shame my wife and I won’t be there, they not opening the tilton and we don’t want tobsitvin the rain, down the front of the kop where you cannot see across the pitch,etc.Bet we not the only ones not going because we cannot sit where we want.I also bet they lose more money than they save by announcing only Kop is open. Fancied a bigger than normal gate to watch new arrival and young players.A missed opportunity by blues management with penny pinching ideas.IMO.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Interesting team. Hancox is in, so is Arthur.

  • Shirley Blue says:

    Well done again Blues. Nine changes but still comfortably beat a good FL1 side. Good experience for some of the younger players too. We go from strength to strength under GR. The Vile at home (assuming they get through) in front of a full house in the next round and more money in the coffers for him to further strengthen the squad will do nicely.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I think one of the biggest points of interest, will be Rowett v Sherwood. To see our manager pit his wits against a premier manager. If he gets it right, we could well be leaving the dump with big smiles. :)

  • Dave Mann says:

    What a draw!!! .. Let’s just say ime quite looking forward to going to vile park and dumping the scum out like we did in our cup winning season … Easy win , no problems , can’t wait , bring it on! Kro

  • David L says:

    Sensible squad rotation, blooding of a few youngsters, comfortable win over capable lower division side………

    Bloody hell!! It’s almost like supporting a normal team!!

    Any ideas why our new lad is #44? Is it a Lewis Hamilton thing?


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