Birmingham City face another tough task this weekend, as they continue to try and secure their Championship status.
Following their 3-1 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road, Blues are now just three points clear of the relegation zone.
Next up is the visit of Southampton to St Andrew’s on Saturday afternoon. Once again, Mark Venus will be in charge of Blues for that game, with head coach Tony Mowbray still away receiving medical treatment.
With the Saints currently 4th in the Championship table, this could be a tricky task for Birmingham City.
However, there still appears to be a belief they could get something from this game, if they approach it in the right way.
Birmingham City told how they can hurt Southampton
Despite their lofty position in the Championship table, Southampton are not in the best of form at the minute.
The Saints have lost three of their last four league games, putting them under pressure in the race for promotion.
Russell Martin’s side are one who of course, like to dominate possession in matches. However, that is something Birmingham City may be able to exploit on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking about whether he thinks Blues can get something against Southampton, Birmingham Mail journalist Alex Dicken told the Keep Right On podcast: “I think Blues can get something. I think they’re going to have to settle for far less possession than they would want, and than they have had in games under Tony Mowbray.
“I think they’re probably going to be looking at the 25/30% mark for possession. Because Southampton, as we’ve said under Russell Martin, will pass you to death.
“But it’s about making sure they’re not passing the ball around in dangerous areas and making sure that when they’re passing it around at the back, the press is right and Blues can win the ball back in Southampton’s defensive third. But yes, I am giving them a chance.”
Blues have to put pressure on their visitors
It does feel as though this could be one way in which Birmingham City can hurt Southampton on Saturday.
If they are able to put pressure on their visitors deep in their own half, they could make it hard for them to get out.
That could in turn lead to errors in a dangerous area for the Saints, that can be capitalised on by Birmingham City.
Indeed, the likes of Shea Charles and Joe Rothwell have struggled at times playing just in front of the defence for Southampton in the past few weeks.
Flynn Downes is another who could play that role, but would only just be returning from injury.
Any of those situations would give Birmingham City something to take advantage of, providing they get their press right.
It may therefore need to be a high line that Blues employ in midfield in this game, to stop Southampton getting too far down the pitch.
Doing so, would also reduce the threat caused some of the very dangerous attackers the Saints have at their disposal.
As a result, this does seem like it could be a sensible way for Birmingham City to play, come Saturday afternoon.