Birmingham City have an unseen weapon in the relegation battle – Mark Venus should utilize it

Alex Dicken examines the changes Mark Venus may make to Birmingham City’s lineup for the game against Watford.

Birmingham City’s encounter against Watford is considered a’must-win’. To avoid relegation during the season’s final international break, the Blues must overcome the Hornets at St Andrew’s.

Watford has won only one of their past 12 games and fired Valerien Ismael after a 2-1 loss to Watford last weekend. Tom Cleverley was appointed interim Watford manager and watched the Blues lose to Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

Cleverley saw the Blues go down with a whimper, and his Watford side, although being in terrible form, will not be quaking in their football boots at the prospect of playing at St Andrew’s. The lack of an attacking threat against Boro was particularly frustrating, but what is the solution?

Most people believe the Blues should have advanced beyond 34-year-old Lukas Jutkiewicz by now, and I tend to agree. However, the Blues are still fighting relegation, and Jutkiewicz gives them a greater chance of getting out of this mess than their other striking options.

Blues need to play a percentage game right now, and Jutkiewicz provides a focal point for the assault that no one else can equal. Jutkiewicz’s entrance would allow Jay Stansfield to return to his preferred position behind the striker.

Against Boro, the starting XI lacked attacking speed. Interim manager Mark Venus might start George Hall and Juninho Bacuna either side of Stansfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation to ensure the Blues can stretch Watford with players who can get beyond Jutkiewicz.

A sturdy midfield base is also essential. Paik Seung-ho is the lone standout midfielder right now, so maybe it’s time for Jordan James to return beside him.

Cody Drameh may have an advantage over Ethan Laird at right back, but the other three defensive places in front of John Ruddy will very certainly be decided by themselves. Dion Sanderson should pair the improving Emanuel Aiwu at centre-back, allowing Lee Buchanan to play left-back.

Our Blues XI for Watford

(4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Drameh, Aiwu, Sanderson, Buchanan; James, Paik; Hall, Stansfield, Bacuna; Jutkiewicz