Birmingham City’s final preseason game saw Chris Davies’ side go toe to toe with Premier League outfit, Nottingham Forest.
The second annual Trevor Francis memorial game saw the East Midlands side travel to St Andrews.
A meaningful game for Blues’ greatest ever player who was sold to Nottingham Forest to become the first ever £1 million player.
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The game was no dud either, the home side would come out of this one with a 1-0 win against their Premier League opponents.
But what five main things did we learn from this big preseason win?
Birmingham City boss Chris Davies | Image: @richard.james.photos / @BCFC
During our record-breaking promotion season from League One, Chris Davies set out to establish a high pressing, front footed, possession style football.
He did that successfully, but after taking a step up to a new division and facing some tougher opposition, many had an idea that maybe Davies would change his style from the get-go.
However, in this game against a team who will be competing in the Europa League next season, Davies stuck to his guns.
The high press was in full force with Forest defenders having little time to think before Blues attackers were in their face.
On the ball, Blues would play very similarly to last year but with some added quality.
Bright Osayi-Samuel played high on his right-hand side, overlapping at every possible occasion.
Demarai Gray seemed to be given the freedom of the pitch, finding himself on his primary right wing, but also through the middle in the 10, and also next to the other striker at times.
However, when off the ball and trapped into our own half for an extended period of time, Davies’ system adapted.
Turning into a defensively solid unit that wouldn’t even let a Premier League side breakthrough.
This season Davies needs to be able to take each game as it comes and be prepared for every possible situation, which in this match he was more than able to do.
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Maybe ‘we’ as Blues fans didn’t learn this.
But fans from around the championship should be put on notice, as he showed his true goalscoring instinct.
But it’s not just his goalscoring ability that should frighten other fans in the second tier.
Stansfield will attempt to contribute in any way he possibly can.
His high and relentless press works perfectly for the system, his work with the ball at his feet, being able to pick out a pass, his defensive support when it is needed.
The list is endless of things that he can do on the football pitch.
But that is exactly why we spent the money.
We knew what he could do, now the rest of the championship will learn too.
Paik Seung-ho in action against Burton Albion | Image: @BCFC
Repping the number eight, previously of the great Trevor Francis, Paik Sueng-Ho did not disappoint.
After the signing of Tommy Doyle and Kanya Fujimoto, it seemed likely that Paik might slip onto the bench.
However, against Forest, Paik was the best player on the pitch.
Winning the ball back, picking out passes, staying calm and beating any press that was thrown at him.
His calmness on the ball might be just what Davies wants in his midfield and so it seems that Paik might not lose his midfield starting spot after all.
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Throughout the transfer window Blues fans have been asking for a new winger to replace Anderson.
While all Blues fans know Anderson isn’t a bad player, given his run of form in the championship last time he was there, there might be better options out in the market.
However, his preseason performance has impressed many and made a few Blues fans start to consider him as the option for one of our starting wingers.
Yesterday especially, I among many others thought Keshi would look out of his depth against Forest, but that was far from the case.
Under pressure from Premier League quality defenders, the winger managed to turn it up a notch, beating players, carrying the ball well and helping the press.
Keshi may not have a starting spot at the end of this transfer window but his help off the bench will be invaluable, especially later in the season.
Demarai Gray driving forward on his second Birmingham City debut | Image: @BCFC
All the new signings appeared in this one, apart from Kanya Fujimoto, who played earlier in the day with the Blues Academy following an injury that kept him out of some other preseason games.
Demarai Gray, Tommy Doyle, Phil Neumann and Bright Osayi-Samuel would all start the game, and they were all very impressive.
Gray was able to fit into the team almost perfectly, making nice passes inside and making good runs with the ball at his feet.
Doyle was another one of the best players on the pitch, the Wolves loanee would start this game in the number 10 role, supporting Jay Stansfield very well and helping with the press.
Neumann is like a freight train, fast and powerful and most importantly as solid as a rock. His partnership with Klarer at the back is insanely good, giving Blues fans a lot of hope for the defence next season.
The final starter, Osayi-Samuel was also very impressive against Premier League opposition, nice overlapping runs and some nice defensive support.
Finally, Kyogo Furuhashi would come off the bench and make himself a nuisance for the Nottingham Forest backline, his pure speed is going to be a huge handful for defenders this year.
This preseason has felt so long just because we all could not wait for this season to get underway.
The new era of Birmingham City is well and truly underway, and I am so excited to be apart of it, I hope you are too.
Keep Right On!