A few observations from the stats (Brum)

[Coolblade]

A few observations from the stats (for those interested):

A complete performance. From the first whistle, we were on it; aggressive, sharp, and clinical. Birmingham barely laid a glove on us: 66.5% possession, 20 shots to their 7, xG 2.78 vs 0.65, and a very high 47 touches in their box. Most dominant we’ve been.

Team Set Up; Usual recent blueprint with 4-2-2-2 that flexed into a 4-4-2 out of possession. Arblaster and Riedewald sat as the pivot, giving us control and cover, while Hamer and Chong tucked in from wide to overload the half-spaces. Up top, Bamford led the line better than before with clever movement, supported by O’Hare buzzing around him.

First-Half: After the sending-off, Birmingham went into survival mode. We kept the ball moving with 628 passes at 87.7% accuracy, and stretched them side to side. The second goal summed up our intent: Hamer pressing high, nicking the ball, and finishing coolly; great counter-pressing.

Second-Half: No dip after the break like a few recent games (Leicester, WBA etc.) It was cruise control. We didn’t just keep the ball for the sake of it – we kept creating. 205 successful passes in the final third and 20 crosses show how relentless we were.

Defensively:

• With the ball, Tanganga & Bindon held a high starting line with excellent cover for any counter attack. We won 21 aerials to their 5, and our duel success held above 60% across the game, ensuring transitions were snuffed out at source.
• Shot Prevention: We limited Birmingham to 7 attempts with just 1 on target, xG0.65 total, only 0.20 from open play. Their main threat came from set plays (0.44 xG), which we handled with first‑contact dominance and second‑ball control.

Birmingham had 7 shots all game, only 1 on target, and most of their xG came from set pieces. Our back line was solid:

• Tanganga won 8 aerials, completed 94 passes at 91.5%, and marshalled everything.
• Bindon not only scored but made 5 clearances and looked calm in possession.
• Seriki gave us both width and penetration going forward (4 key passes) but still chipped defensively with 3 tackles.

Midfield:

After the red, they tucked the wide midfielder in and left Stansfield to chase. Our pivot consistently created a spare man, especially when Tanganga stepped into midfield to manufacture a back‑three.

• Arblaster was outstanding: 92.8% pass accuracy, 4 key passes, and the assist for Bamford. He dictated tempo like a seasoned pro and provided the balance we lacked in the second half against the Baggies
• Riedewald kept it simple (89.5% pass completion) and allowed others to play.
• Hamer: a goal, 3 shots (2 on target), 2 key passes, and constant energy.

Creativity:

• Shot accuracy: 9 on target from 20 attempts (45%) – a lot more efficient than recently
• Key passes: A great team effort, not relying on just one or two players. Seriki (4), Arblaster (4), Hamer (2), Chong (3), O’Hare (2).
• Box touches: 47 vs their 8, we lived in their penalty area.

Strategic Takeaways:

1. Set‑piece payoff
   We’ve shown our threat increasingly recently; here it delivered. Bindon’s rum and the block at the front post created a free header. We should keep that variation, especially with Tanganga (and McGuinness) also aerially strong.
2. Counter‑press as chance creator
   Hamer’s goal is the model. The instant squeeze after a risky Birmingham pass produced a high‑value chance. Hamer, O’Hare, Chong, Bamford all react well in the first five seconds.
3. Right‑side overloads
   Seriki and Chong gave us repeat opportunities. If teams go to 4‑4‑1 or 2 quite narrow, then switching early to Seriki can be our best route. The 205 completed final‑third passes show we didn’t just cross; football with purpose.
4. Game management at 2–0 and 3–0
   We kept the line high and avoided the drift into a deep block that hurt us at West Brom. Only one save required from Cooper.

Conclusion: Obviously Doyle’s sending off was key and made life easier, but we didn’t just beat Birmingham; we strangled the life out of them. High press, quick switches, set-piece threat, and proper game management after going two up.

A Sheffield double back again!

UTB!

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

Said it in another thread, but Blaster looks to have come through his big injury effortlessly. Doesn’t seem to have lost a step compared to when we last saw him in the middle. Always available for the ball, moves it so well and makes some really quite difficult passes look so easy. Lads brilliant.

 

[JimW1889]

Not sure what the average is but something that stood out to me today was the number of shots on target

 

[cooperblade]

Felt like a repeat of the Stoke game in many ways. Identical first goal, dominant press and very one sided.

 

[Barmyblade]

Thanks Cool

Great to see Arblaster back. He provides so much from midfield. Always time on the ball. Keeps us ticking. And gets forward better than any other of our centre mids. A great footballer.

Fingers crossed his luck with injuries improves.

 

[Snake]

Wow! What a fantastic piece of analytical summary. You are not a wannabee like some, you are the real deal