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Gerken One of Five Changes at Birmingham
Saturday, 31st Aug 2013 14:06

Keeper Dean Gerken will make his league debut for the Blues at Birmingham this afternoon as Mick McCarthy makes five changes.

The ex-Colchester man comes in for Scott Loach, who took the blame for Leeds’ second goal at Portman Road last week and who drops to the bench.

Paul Anderson, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Christophe Berra make their first Championships starts in place of skipper Carlos Edwards, Elliott Hewitt and Jay Tabb, while Frank Nouble replaces Daryl Murphy up front.

Luke Chambers, who is set to wear the captain’s armband will be at right-back with Berra on the right of Tommy Smith at the heart of the defence. Anderson will be on the right of midfield with Tunnicliffe on the left.

Anthony Wordsworth replaces Frederic Veseli on the bench, while Alan Lee, who signed on a non-contract basis earlier in the week, travelled with the squad.

For Birmingham, there's no place for ex-Blue Darren Ambrose in the 18.

Town: Gerken, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson, Skuse, Hyam, Tunnicliffe, McGoldrick, Nouble. Subs: Loach, Hewitt, Tabb, Edwards, Wordsworth, Taylor, Murphy.

Birmingham: Randolph, Eardley, Bartley, Burn, Robinson, Burke, Adeyemi, Spector, Shinnie, Novak, Lovenkrands. Subs: Doyle, Mullins, Reilly, Elliott, Ferguson, Allan, Green.


Photo: Action Images



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oldelsworthyfan added 14:12 - Aug 31
After losing 4 matches out of 5 this is not unexpected.

I hope to see Wordsworth on for 20 mins
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FennersITFC added 14:13 - Aug 31
Glad about Loach. Simply do not think he is good enough. Hopefully Gerken proves himself. Good luck dean and come on you blues!
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AlexGreen added 14:13 - Aug 31
Bloody hell I didn't expect that! Happy with midfield changes, not so sure about the defence reshuffle
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alexsmith111 added 14:14 - Aug 31
Nobody can accuse mick of not being brave or mixing it up then, hope it works, looks like we should have a great injection of pace which will be good
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chippyblue added 14:14 - Aug 31
Must say like the look of this team!!! Time will tell ..
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Mark added 14:14 - Aug 31
Five changes and a centre back at full back...has Keane returned?

I hope all the changes work and best of luck to the lads this afternoon.
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alexsmith111 added 14:16 - Aug 31
Smith chambers Berra and creswell, if it works it could be awesome!
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tractorboy81 added 14:16 - Aug 31
Mick's made a bold move, if we win fans will say they've been asking for these changes for ages and they should have been made sooner but if we loose all they'll do is moan about some of them. Personally I think everyone should stop moaning, mick knows more than anyone on here so lets stop moaning and support our team for once.
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billlm added 14:16 - Aug 31
not to unhappy with this, moving chambers is risky,but nouble no thanks looked awful last week
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algarvefan added 14:17 - Aug 31
Agree with Edwards and Murphy being dropped and possibly Loach but don't like to see the back 4 being messed with and Chambers is a Centre back not a right back.

Still we'll see!!
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arc added 14:18 - Aug 31

Gerken–not surprised.
Berra–not surprised that MM wanted him in, as he is clearly one of his favourites; I suppose it was impossible to drop Smith or Chambers, so this is the solution, especially as Anderson may need a more defensively minded RB behind him.
Tunnicliffe–clearly deserves it, although Tabb must feel a little miffed. Hyam needs a good game.
Anderson–not surprised, even if it's just for set pieces.
Nouble–a little surprised by this one, especially away from home; Murphy is clearly an MM favourite and he's a solid pro who lets us change formations away from home. Maybe Big Frank is ready to show us something!

COYB!
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jutever added 14:18 - Aug 31
For me this is our best team. come on the blue.
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alexsmith111 added 14:18 - Aug 31
Will give creswell a lot more freedom to go forward as well which can be effective and we will still have 3 at the back covering
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thebeat added 14:19 - Aug 31
Not happt with Chambers being shunted out to right back. Now we have 2 left footed centre halfs. jobs for the boys that one with berra coming in. and tunnicliffe should be in the middle.still we have to just see i suppose.COYB
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jas0999 added 14:19 - Aug 31
Very surprised we have made five changes. Thought Murphy and Loach would make way after disappointing starts to the season. Edwards has also been poor - so perhaps no surprise there. However, playing a CB at RB - not convinced - but we'll see.

Need a win today.
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TimmyH added 14:25 - Aug 31
Generally glad Mick has made these changes, glad for Gerken, Berra (hopefully now match fit) and Tunnicliffe but a bit surprised Nouble is up front, Taylor still not fit?
Let's hope we get some positive displays from these players. Draw for me.
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BillBlue added 14:25 - Aug 31
I agree there had to be changes but to split the rock of our defence is truly risky. It appears that Mick is taking a real chance by giving his pet this opportunity I just hope it works.
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billlm added 14:27 - Aug 31
elliots done well learning all the time he shouldn't be to disappointed he cant play 46 plus games a season any way good move
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BrettenhamBlue added 14:31 - Aug 31
Good decision at rb.
Hewitt isn't ready to start regularly
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Garv added 14:32 - Aug 31
Oh not Nouble! *sighs*
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buzzardblue added 14:33 - Aug 31
Ah tractorboy81 nice to see some of towns 'supporters' still have their head screwed on! COYB!
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cromwellblue added 14:34 - Aug 31
Very harsh on Hewitt, has done nothing to warrant being dropped

Here we go again on the keeper. One mistake and out, will not help Loach who's confidence has been fragile because of uncertainty before. Another season without a genuine and trusted number 1

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itfc1981 added 14:39 - Aug 31
Nearly perfect, agree with all the moves. Hewitt needs a rest would play normally.
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Fatcatevans added 14:39 - Aug 31
We needed changes but can't see with 5 men dropped how Hyam has survived. Similarly Mick has been desperate to get his boy Berra in. So desperate that he changes the central defensive partnership, the one area where we have looked ok
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ian_marshall added 14:40 - Aug 31
Come on you blues. IMWT
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