HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Easter Saturday’s game at St Andrew’s by delving into their forums.

“Survival is on again”, “I look forward to next season with a little bit more hope. I know we have to come through our next few games but I have a bit of belief now”, “For the first time this season we saw what this squad is capable of under good management”, “This has got to be better, hasn’t it?”

“Finally, a result to smile about.” City may head into Saturday’s game in the bottom three on goal difference below Barnsley, but confidence is building after a seven-game losing streak was brought to a juddering halt with a comfortable 3-0 win over Hull just before the latest international break.

“Eight more cup finals to go.” Newly-appointed boss Garry Monk has only been in charge for three games, but Blues have already seen a steady improvement in the shape and organisation of the side in his brief tenure. “There’s a lot of work to do under Monk but I feel so much more confident.”

“Football is a fairly simple game. Put players in positions that suit them best and instil confidence in them. If we go down with this squad of players it will be ridiculous”, “Play like that in the remaining eight games and we will be fine”, “I really hope we stay up and build with this manager in charge.”

“Our expectations are not huge after the last couple of seasons. We just want the players to buckle down and do the job they are paid to do”, “Some fans think that we are already goners, but I believe this battle will go to the very last game of the season”, “If we stay up, next season could be tasty.”

Garry Monk

“No manager is perfect and we will inevitably disagree with Garry Monk on occasions. We may take him for granted or grow jaded with him in time, but right now in the throes of a relegation scrap how reassuring it is to have a cool, calm manager in charge with a clear and coherent approach.”

“Monk is our new Gary Rowett. I’m convinced we will stay up now.” The 39-year-old arrived at the beginning of March to replace the sacked Steve Cotterill. “He comes across as easy going and not flustered by the huge job he has taken on. He’s the right manager to unlock the squad’s potential.”

“I like Monk, he’s far more positive”, “We finally have someone with some intelligence to actually manage us, someone who understands tactics, substitutions, player roles and the bigger picture”, “It’s truly amazing, a miracle even that he has made such a difference in so short a space of time.”

“Monk seems to be developing an approach that gets the best out of his players by asking them to focus on what they are good at”, “We would be nowhere near the bottom of the table with this squad if it had been used properly. We wasted so many games under the negative Cotterill.”

“A decent manager can get a good mix of players performing as a team. Clear simple instructions and a game plan, and he seems to have instilled confidence in players who previously looked very poor”, “The football he is trying to play is efficient and pleasant, and we are playing with intent.”

An Attacking 4-4-2 Formation

“We have shown far more intent in three games under Monk”, “Against Hull we played like a team who knew exactly what they needed to do and how to do it. The team have a belief that was almost totally absent before”, “The players looked a shadow of themselves under the negative Cotterill.”

“It has been a long time since I have seen us show that urgency and control in a game. The number of second balls we won was tremendous”, “There has been more tempo from us, we are moving the ball well”, “We are more physical and challenging. We are getting to the breakdown ball better.”

“It has become clearer what a mess [former manager] Harry Redknapp made of the summer transfer window”, “He went on a shopping spree buying players who didn’t complement each other, while ignoring vital positions in the team that needed strengthening, it’s something I can’t forgive him for.”

“All we have heard from the last three managers is that we can’t play 4-4-2. Well you can stick that where the sun doesn’t shine”, “Four at the back, two proper wingers and strikers, and two defensive midfielders not being asked to play as number 10s. Attacking intent has been rewarded today.”

Monk’s starting XI against the Tigers (above) demonstrated his new change of approach. The team’s attacking balance was strengthened with two strikers supported by wingers and attacking full-backs. A porous defence was protected by two holding midfielders and two banks of four without the ball.

Goalkeeper David Stockdale’s fitness and physique have been criticised, but Michael Morrison and Harlee Dean are a balanced hard defender/ball player centre-half pairing. Maxime Colin has covered at left-back for the injured Jonathan Grounds, whose return from injury has been warmly welcomed.

Wes Harding impressed on his starting debut at right-back against Hull and the right-footed backline was well protected by the defensive and industrious Maikel Kieftenbeld and Craig Gardner. The lack of a passing central midfielder has been a problem since Stephen Gleeson’s January departure to Town.

“At least Monk is trying to play with wingers and we have looked more dangerous in attack.” The transformation out wide has been the most immediate and apparent change under Monk. “We have runners and options when attacking. The full-backs push forward and our movement is very good.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing what seems to be a great attacking quartet in Jacques Maghoma, Che Adams, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Jota.” The immediate improvement in form and confidence of Jota, who scored twice against the Tigers on Saturday, has been widely noted under the new manager.

“Monk is going for it!”, “He wants to play Adams off Jutkiewicz in a front two”, “After scoring one goal in seven games, we have scored five in 135 minutes”, “How much better do we look with two up top? The widemen both cover their full-backs and it’s great to see us playing on the front foot.”

“The front four were excellent against Hull. They pressed really well and had us on the front foot for the whole game”, “What pleased me against Hull was that we got players in their penalty box in numbers and tried to attack the ball. This has not happened at St Andrew’s for a good long time.”

Birmingham 3 — 0 Hull

“Just back. Wow, we’re a football team. We were up for it and looked like we could score every time we went forward”, “For once I have nothing but praise for this team”, “Great to see so many good displays and a togetherness that has been lacking. Let’s hope it’s the start of something special.”

Jota put the West Midlanders ahead on 12 minutes with a crisp finish after being played through by Adams. The hosts added a second when Che Adams’s cross looped into the Tigers net and Jota picked up a loose ball just before the hour mark to score his second and seal what was a comprehensive win.

“How good does it feel to have actually outplayed a team and that the result was due to a game plan rather than luck?”, “The best performance I have seen for some time for the Blues. We could have easily gone in 5-0 up at half-time”, “A terrific performance with every man fighting for each other.”

“The only threat to us winning was the snow”, “The front four were excellent. We dominated the game, but when Hull had the ball it was all in their own half, nothing that troubled us at all”, “One win doesn’t make a season, but it makes for a really good Saturday. Can we really start to dream?”

Cardiff 3 — 2 Birmingham

“No points but a massive improvement in effort”, “At 3-0 down most teams would have folded in our position but not the Blues under Garry Monk. We played well and fought to the end against a team pushing on for automatic promotion”, “We certainly would have folded two weeks ago.”

“Can we not concede early just once?” Nathaniel Mendez-Laing put the Bluebirds ahead cutting inside on 12 minutes and Craig Bryson finished from close range on 23 to double their lead. The hosts then gave themselves a three-goal cushion via Callum Paterson’s header in first half stoppage time.

Birmingham fought back and scored from Craig Garner penalty on 54 and Maxime Colin’s finish in second half stoppage time reduced the final deficit to just one goal. “We had Cardiff rattled in the second half and the fans loved it. It was a proper fight and we finished the game on the front foot.”

“Playing 4-4-2 away at second in the league. Brave”, “A very attacking team.” Fans liked Monk’s positive intent when the starting line-up (above) was announced, but right-back Carl Jenkinson was targeted by the hosts with all three of Cardiff goals originating down Birmingham’s right flank.

Birmingham 0 — 1 Middlesbrough

“Well, that was a far better effort and there are some things to develop. There was lots of promise being shown on the pitch”, “I’m pleased with the performance if not the result”, “Monk can only work with what he has. It’s just a shame we came up against a tough and organised Tony Pulis side.”

“We looked like a team today.” Patrick Bamford’s finish on 39 minutes from Adama Traore’s cross proved to be the only goal in the West Midlanders’ first game under Monk. “We started brightly but we didn’t make the pressure tell. We went off the boil and Boro’s goals didn’t come from much.”

“I’m quite glad to see the return of 4-4-2. We all understand it and more importantly the players will understand it.” Monk’s first starting XI (above) came after having one day to work with the squad. “Leeds fans said that Monk was very much in favour of a back four and two holding midfielders.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“David Stockdale looks overweight. How can this be in March?” The 32-year-old ex-Brighton keeper and one-time Town loanee “has lost some agility with all of the weight he has put on”, “He has had some real horror show moments recently and not just costly fumbles. His kicking has been dreadful for weeks.”

Douglas beats Brighton's David Stockdale but is offside

“Stockdale has made costly errors”, “He is often left exposed. There has been a complete absence of basic defending in front of him and often no closing down of shots”, “That is no reason for him to be beaten so often by long shots on the ground. I wonder if he is agile enough to get down in time.”

“Wes Harding played like his life depended on it against Hull.” The 21-year-old youth product “had a great full debut and looked a solid right-back”, “His early ‘let him know you’re there’ tackle on Hull’s Harry Wilson was great”, “He knows how to get forward but he was very disciplined against Hull.”

“Harding is good technically. He’s strong, athletic and he can play with passion. He can add a spark”, “He is raw and has a bit to learn reading the game and his positioning will need to up a notch, but he is calm, composed and assured on the ball”, “He looks more of a centre-half than a full-back to me.”

“Maxime Colin is one of our best technical players.” The 26-year-old August signing from Brentford “is a class act. His preferred side is the right of defence but he can play on the left”, “He’s extremely right-footed. He gets forward well but he struggles when he is run at. I don’t like him at left-back.”

“Colin has been our best signing this season by a country mile. He’s a quality player who runs his socks off and has been one of our most consistent performers”, “He is aggressive and is willing to get forward”, “He was like a winger against Hull at times and only occasionally lacking a final killer ball.”

“Jonathan Grounds could be in with a chance of a recall against Ipswich.” The 30-year-old former Oldham left-back injured his knee in a February victory over Sheffield Wednesday and many City fans assumed he was out for the season. “Great, that's a lot quicker than we originally thought.”

“Grounds is very steady at this level”, “He will bring a nice balance to the side and was in great form before the injury”, “He has been our most consistent performer. My only concern would be match fitness. Grounds at left-back with Colin in his proper position would give our defence a huge boost.”

“Carl Jenkinson looks half the player he did a few seasons back.” The 26-year-old one-time Charlton right-back arrived in August on a season-long loan from Arsenal. “He has been dreadful”, “He had to be taken out of the Cardiff game as he was at fault in some way for all three of their first-half goals.”

“Has Jenkinson ever beaten a man or out a cross in? Serious question”, “He is so weak. He let Albert Adomah run off him a few times in the Villa derby”, “He is awful defensively, switching off and not tracking runners”, “He has played 14 times in the Champions League. Let that sink in. He’s awful.”

“Cohen Bramall is completely out of his depth at this level.” The 21-year-old left-back is also on a season-long loan from the Gunners. “He is good going forward but his defending is the issue. He was absolutely roasted in our 5-0 defeat at Brentford last month”, “He’s extremely weak defensively.”

McGoldrick v Marc Roberts for former club Barnsley

“Marc ‘Danger UXB’ Roberts seems to lose focus in a second and it all goes pear-shaped.” The 27-year-old July acquisition from Barnsley “is responsible for so many of the goals we have conceded. He is quite dominant in the air and will make good tackles but he largely hoofs the ball forward.”

“Roberts can win headers and he’s your man if we are playing against teams who lump it forward. He is nowhere near good enough to try to play the ball out from the back four”, “He gets undone by simple balls over the top and terrible positioning. His basic error at Ipswich was his worst so far.”

“I like Harlee Dean, but he’s one of several decent players whose form has been dragged down by Cotterill this season.” The 26-year-old former Brentford man “is a composed centre-half who is so cool on the ball”, “He’s a natural leader who is not afraid use his voice to organise the backline.”

Brentford's Harlee Dean v Blackburn Rovers' Craig Conway

“Dean has played well this season but has made occasional errors. Against Hull he was the perfect partner for Morrison, able to drive play forward and make chances, with Morrison holding back”, “He is safe on the ball but has been exposed by a lack of midfield cover pushing out of defence.”

Michael Morrison

“Monk has rediscovered big bad captain Morrison, a quality safe defender who will always play the right ball.” The 30-year-old ex-Charlton man “is still our most dependable centre-half. He is a classic Gary Rowett import whose form has very sadly dipped under a series of poor managerial changes.”

Michael Morrison (Charlton)

“Morrison saved our bacon last season. He rarely puts a foot wrong and he makes crucial last-ditch tackles. Criticism of his displays usually revolves around his distribution as he makes very few errors. He is a class act who went through a bad patch this season but has done very well since his return.”

Central Midfielders

“David Davis is great at winning critical midfield battles.” The 27-year-old former Wolves man made a substitute appearance against Hull after picking up a knee injury in last month’s Villa derby. “He is not back to full mobility after his knock, which is a real worry as this is one of his main strengths.”

Jonas Knudsen v David Davis

“Davis makes important contributions with his athleticism and grit”, “He’s a combative midfielder but Cotterill used him in a more attacking role than was wise for him. He’s a high-energy player who thrives on a pressing game but he made one lovely pass against Hull and seemed happy to be back.”

“We have never really seen too much of Jason Lowe.” The 26-year-old August arrival from Blackburn has been a peripheral figure. “He has the best passing ability of our central midfielders although that isn’t saying much”, “He’s calm on the ball with a half-decent passing range and he can tackle a bit.”

“Cheikh Ndoye makes shire horses look nimble, dainty and fleet-footed.” The 31-year-old was signed in July from Angers. “He has the worst technical ability of any player I have ever seen in a Blues shirt. He can’t control a ball or pass to a team-mate”, “He lost a header to Brentford’s tiny Ryan Woods.”

Cheick Ndoye v Andre Dozzell

“Ndoye can’t pass the ball, his control is poor, he can’t dribble and he tends to fall on people rather than tackle”, “Against Hull Ndoye was marking the referee. He realised this after 20 seconds of the crowd shouting at him and he jogged off to the player he should have been on. It summed him up.”

“Maikel Kieftenbeld seems to have been allowed to do what he does properly by Monk, running around like a lunatic, smashing into people and winning balls left, right and centre.” The 27-year-old ex-Groningen holding midfielder “is technically weak but he is important to our pressing game”.

“Kieftenbeld has been wasteful and ill-disciplined this season, but if a technical manager like Monk can rekindle the Dutch footballing soul buried inside the shell of a League One hoofer it could halt our relegation slide”, “He is reading the game, taking better positions and not diving into tackles.”

Craig Gardner

“Hopefully Gardner will be back for Ipswich.” The 31-year-old former West Brom man limped off with a tight hamstring against Hull. “For the 30 minutes he was on, he looked easily the best he has all season”, “He is glacial in terms of pace but he’s good on the ball and we struggle when he does.”

“Gardner puts in a shift but he drops back so deep that you think he’s a third centre-back. He needs to be further forward”, “He’s a decent player but is playing too safe. He needs to take more risks”, “He’s steady but lacks forward momentum. He has to take responsibility to pass the ball creatively.”

Wide Midfielders and Wingers

“Jeremie Boga, for all his fancy step-overs, just doesn’t deliver that final ball.” The 21-year-old loan signing from Chelsea “has the ability to unlock defences but needs to improve his decision making. He needs to avoid running into blind alleys, trying to beat an extra man and be prepared to shoot.”

“You’re good at dribbling, Boga, we get that. Now use that ability to do the things that get us on the scoresheet”, “The word cul-de-sac comes to mind whenever he has the ball, he doesn’t get his head up”, “He’s a luxury we can’t afford now and he is so much less effective than Jacques Maghoma.”

Dominic Iorfa v Jacques Maghoma

“Jacques Maghoma seems to have added aggression and persistence to his game.” The 30-year-old ex-Sheffield Wednesday winger “has an outstanding game against Hull. He was brilliant on the ball but he covered fantastically at left-back. We looked a big threat down that left side all afternoon.”

“Maghoma has been inconsistent, but lately he has been the player we know he can be, defending and attacking, running with the ball, tackling and carrying it forward. His partnership with Colin was perfect against Hull”, “He’s agile and quick on his feet but far more suited to playing in a wider role.”

Jota

“Monk’s man-management of Jota has been excellent. Everyone knew he needed encouragement and not criticism to get the best from him. There’s more to come as well.” The 26-year-old former Brentford winger “is coming of age under a proper manager. Players want to give him the ball now.”

Jota

“Jota is a fancy-dan dribbler but one with an end product”, “A little magician who cuts in from the right wing onto his left foot to join in and link up with the two strikers. He scored twice against Hull from a central position. They didn’t double up on him and it gave him far more freedom and space.”

Strikers

“Sam Gallagher should at least be on the bench if fit.” The 22-year-old Southampton loan signing missed the Hull game with a calf strain and is a major doubt for Saturday’s match. “He has often been our only goalscoring outlet. He’s our most motivated player and puts himself in very good positions.”

Luke Chambers v Sam Gallagher (at previous loan club Blackburn)

“Che Adams has had a stop-start season.” The 21-year-old former Sheffield United man “has had the stuffing knocked out of him by injuries and Steve Cotterill. He is still the best natural finisher at the club. He should pick himself up and have an important role in these final eight games of the season.”

“Stuck on the left wing by Cotterill, Adams moves to his natural position and, what do you know, he plays well”, “He is not a lone striker, he can’t hold it up for another striker to feed off”, “He now has Jutkiewicz to hold the ball up and flick it on which gives him the freedom to play facing the goal.”

Lukas Jutkiewicz

“I have been critical of Jutkiewicz all season but what an improvement. It was like someone coached him intensively to understand his role, his strengths and weaknesses. He was a player reborn against Hull, relieved of all his cares and worries”, “Monk wants to whip early balls into the box for him.”

Luke Chambers v Lukas Jutkiewicz

“We found Jutkiewicz’s head more times in the Hull match than in his entire BCFC career.” The 28-year-old ex-Burnley man “has little pace and can’t play on the deck, but he hassles defenders and is one of the best headers of the ball in the division. We just need to get players in and around him.”

City Fans’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“Ipswich are a good organised team and we will have to be at our best to beat them at St Andrew’s. They will not be a push over”, “They will be difficult to break down as all Mick McCarthy outfits are, but with our new formation and tactics I hope the positivity from the game against Hull prevails.”

“A must-win game, end of story. Time is running out.” With games against Town, Bolton and Burton in the coming week, West Midlanders are hoping to greatly improve their survival prospects before a challenging run-in which includes games against Bristol City, Sheffield United, Wolves and Fulham.

“This is the sort of match we must get something from. We are at home and put in a great display in our last match and Monk will have had two full weeks to work with the squad”, “With four attacking players, we’re likely to have the confidence to press high with quality to beat teams like Ipswich.”

“Ipswich are an unpredictable mid-table team who have nothing to play for this season in realistic terms”, “With eight games to go they are too far off the play-offs, too many points for relegation. Here’s hoping they turn up in their third strip - Hawaiian shirt, Bermuda shorts and flip-flops.”

“It could be a good time to face them with McCarthy all set to leave end of season”, “McCarthy is a professional and will want his outfit to put a shift in and do well against us. The pressure is on us and we have struggled to get results against teams similar to Ipswich who defended really well recently.”

“McCarthy is leaving Ipswich at the end of the season”, “Must admit I find the timing strange, it’s not exactly any motivation for the players between now and the end of the season knowing someone else will be in charge”, “It’s strange to announce it now but I hope it has some effect on the team.”

“A good manager for someone to pick up”, “McCarthy is a bloody good, experienced manager. Sure, we have had some fun with him over the years but I honestly don't know why anybody would turn their nose up at him for City. Especially if we had been relegated and needed putting back together.”

“I'd have him here if we go down”, “I used to dislike him for his ‘professional Yorkshireman’ persona but I have warmed to him. He's got a decent managerial record too”, “On reading the gushing praise for McCarthy from the owner, just one question springs to mind: ‘Why are you letting him go then?’”

“I don't think Ipswich will be an easy game. It will still be a Mick McCarthy outfit, well drilled, defensive, hard to break down etc. There may be some good banter between the Blue Noses and Tractor Boys at McCarthy's expense but I still expect Ipswich to put a shift in for him.”

Websites

There are two active Birmingham City forums, Small Heath Alliance contains links to local football media reports and the Independent Blues Forum has some interesting and well-informed discussions.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

Bluebell added 11:59 - Mar 30 Thanks Harry as always. I don't think it will be easy tomorrow. I just hope the team play their socks off in support of Mick. For all we know the 'new' manager (if anyone has already agreed to come to Town) might be at the game and will be wanting to find out how we play and who is worth keeping. I would be happy with a draw but as we are taking our son and granddaughter to the game I hope they see Town win. Ist away game for granddaughter and the last 3 home games she was at Town won!

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HarryfromBath added 12:15 - Mar 30 Thanks Bluebell. I am heading up as well and I am fascinated to see how we will play against a team who will be hugely motivated. Have a safe trip up to the West Midlands. This is a game which really could go wrong for us but if we can see some of the never-say-die character which typified Mick's early years (e.g. the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth in 2014) then it may augur well for the future. Tomorrow's game can be watched on several levels.

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itfchorry added 14:09 - Mar 30 Great work as always Harry
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horsehollerer added 22:33 - Mar 30 Many thanks for a great read as always. I have a feeling Town will play with a newfound freedom and we will win our last 8 games and sneak into the playoffs on 76 points, with the momentum carrying us through to a famous Wembley win. Just kidding, I'll go for a 2-2 draw. COYB.
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Seasider added 14:05 - Mar 31 I would have been more confident if Cotterill was still there because Gary Monk is of a far better calibre. It will also be interesting to see what our potential change of Manager will have ?
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