Gary Rowett preparing to make the most important team selection of his Birmingham City

Gary Rowett is getting ready to make the most crucial team selection of his Birmingham City career. That includes his first stint in the St Andrews hot seat.

The Blues’ penultimate Championship game of the season is on Saturday at Huddersfield Town. The danger of being demoted on Saturday if outcomes go against the Blues demonstrates the gravity of their plight.

The Blues are expected to fight until the end, but their chances of victory will be determined by what occurs at John Smith’s Stadium. A win is sorely needed after the Blues failed to defeat already relegated Rotherham last weekend.

Alex Dicken (AD) and Brian Dick (BD) have put together their XIs and described how they work out. Take a look at what they stated below.

Alex Dicken

4-2-3-1: Ruddy; Laird, M Roberts, Sanderson, Buchanan; Bielik, Sunjic; Miyoshi, Paik, Dembele; Stansfield

Aside from Coventry, the Blues have not beaten a team by two clear goals since John Eustace’s final week in charge, when they defeated West Bromwich Albion and Huddersfield. It is my fervent view that keeping clean sheets will keep the Blues in the Championship, and while this may appear to be a negative statement, I believe the setup should prioritise it.

Marc Roberts and Siriki Dembele would join my XI following their triumph over Coventry. Koji Miyoshi should replace Oliver Burke in the lineup once more.

Marc Roberts replaces his namesake Tyler, and Paik Seung-ho moves into a more advanced position to allow Krystian Bielik’s return to midfield, giving the Blues the height to deal with Huddersfield’s set pieces. Only five Championship sides have scored more set-piece goals than the Terriers (13). Michal Helik, the defender, has scored nine times. Having Roberts, Bielik, and Dion Sanderson in the XI allows Blues to cope with set pieces.

The probability that Matty Pearson will play right-back for Huddersfield would undoubtedly prompt Rowett to examine Dembele. Dembele demolished Pearson in the rematch with the best individual performance by a Blues player this season.

Rowett’s focus will be on establishing a balance, and this XI provides Blues with a solid blend of steel and talent.

Brian Dick

4-2-3-1: Ruddy; Laird, M Roberts, Bielik, Buchanan; Sunjic, Paik; Miyoshi, T Roberts, Dembele; Stansfield

Formation isn’t even a question for me. Whether we appreciate how swiftly the Blues are progressing or not, Gary Rowett has strengthened the defence and has a team that is currently mid-table in the form league. Both of these facts demand using the 4-2-3-1.

John Ruddy and Lee Buchanan have signed; for me, considering Huddersfield’s strength at set-pieces, it’s all about aerial presence, and if Marc Roberts can stay 90 minutes, he should come in to partner Krystian Bielik at centre back. The Pole allows Blues to experiment a little bit if they desire.

Ivan Sunjic keeps his place after a successful return to the team, while Seung-ho Paik is the most complete of the center midfield alternatives in terms of physicality, movement, and technically. Jay Stansfield is an absolute lock as the attacking ‘1’.

However, there are numerous alternatives for the assaulting three. Keshi Anderson has undoubtedly been the Blues’ most consistent winger in recent matches, while Juninho Bacuna has the potential to create something out of nothing, whether it’s an assist or a goal, and he’ll be eager to face his former team.

I’ve gone with Koji Miyoshi, who was overlooked by Rotherham, Tyler Roberts, who is most likely to play near to Stansfield, and Siriki Dembele. The Blues need to score. Dembele remains their most incisive forward.