Birmingham City have had something of a mixed season in the Championship during the campaign so far.
Blues initially started well under John Eustace, working their way into the play-off places.
However, following the sacking of Eustace and appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager, the club dropped down the table and into a relegation battle.
Eventually, that prompted the club to make another change of manager, with Tony Mowbray coming in to take over from Rooney.
Under the 60-year-old, Birmingham City have enjoyed something of a resurgence. A run of results has seen Blues gradually move clear of the bottom three.
Now it seems as though the availability of one particular player, may be just as influential to the club, as those managerial changes.
A stop start season for Ethan Laird
Back in what was a busy summer transfer window for Birmingham City, one of the players to join the club was Ethan Laird.
The full-back joined Blues for an undisclosed fee from Manchester United, signing a three-year contract at St Andrew’s.
Laird’s season has since been hindered by injury. He has been limited to just 13 appearances across all competitions for the club.
However, he has impressed when he has been on the pitch. Indeed, speaking earlier this season, EFL pundit Adrian Clarke described Laird as ‘dynamic’. He also suggested that Birmingham City are not as strong a side when the full-back is not playing.
Now it seems as though the stats do indeed back that up. Taking to X on Thursday, BBC Radio WM sports journalist Richard Wilford noted that when Laird has played this season, Blues have averaged 1.5 points per game.
By contrast, when Laird does not play, the club picking up an average of just 0.5 points per game, showing how much they gain when he plays.
Birmingham City are next in action on Saturday afternoon, when they travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town.
Birmingham City must keep Ethan Laird fit
These stats highlights just how important it is for Blues to keep Laird in their side.
As things stand in the Championship table, Birmingham City are still not guaranteed to be safe from relegation.
That if course, means it is absolutely vital that they pick up as many more points as possible, between now and the end of the campaign.
Judging by this stat, they have a much better chance of picking up those points, if Laird is indeed fit and playing.
Consequently, it is key they keep him the side in order to do that. Indeed, he has certainly impressed with his performances, when he has played for Birmingham City.
Therefore, the fact he does seem to make such a positive impact on Blues when he is playing, is perhaps no huge surprise.