Sat 26th Aug
Kick-off15:00

BIR Birmingham

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PLY Argyle

Birmingham Preview

Sync Fixtures

The Game
Birmingham City v Argyle. St Andrew's. Saturday, 26 August. 3pm. Sky Bet Championship.

The Opposition
Birmingham City have had a strong start to the 2023/24 season. They began with a 1-1 draw at Swansea City on the opening day of the season, with a goal from debutant Siriki Dembele, and followed that with a win at Cheltenham Town in the Carabao Cup. 

Former Argyle loanee and Birmingham club captain Lukas Jutkiewicz scored a late penalty (pictured below) to give Blues a win in their only home fixture so far, as they beat Leeds United 1-0. Last Saturday, Birmingham won 2-0 at Bristol City, with Jutkiewicz again on the scoresheet, doubling Blues' lead after Koji Miyoshi had put them in front. 

Lukas Jutkiewicz scores a penalty

The Gaffer
John Eustace took the Birmingham City manager's job in the summer of 2022, and in his first season at the helm, guided Blues to 17th position. Solihull-born Eustace had a playing career that took in stints at clubs such as Coventry City, Stoke City, Watford and Derby County, the vast majority of his career was played at the second-tier level.

John Eustace

His first managerial job was with Kidderminster, in the Vanarama National League, whom he led to two consecutive play-off appearances. He moved on to be assistant manager at Queens Park Rangers from 2018 to 2022, and later doubled up with being the assistant manager of the Ireland national team. 

The Squad
The aforementioned Jutkiewicz is the leading goalscorer for Birmingham this season, although he has not started any of the league games, instead coming on each time as a second-half substitute. Miyoshi, whose goal was also as a substitute, joined in the summer from Royal Antwerp, and Dembele made the switch from Bournemouth, having been on loan at Auxerre. 

Other summer arrivals include Tyler Roberts (Leeds United), Ethan Laird (Manchester United) and Lee Buchanan (Werder Bremen). Dion Sanderson and Krystian Bielik (below), who spent last season on loan at St Andrew's from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Derby County respective, have returned on permanent bases. 

On Thursday, Birmingham added forward Jay Stansfield to the squad, on loan from Fulham. Stansfield spent last season on loan with his first club, Exeter City. 

Krystian Bielik in action

Fancy a Stat?
The last time Argyle won a league match against Birmingham City, none of the current Pilgrims squad were born. 

The History
As mentioned above, Argyle do not have a great record in recent times against Birmingham. The aforementioned last league victory came in 1988, but although that was 35 years ago, the sides have only met in eight league games since. 

Argyle have fared better in cup fixtures against Birmingham, including the last time the sides met, which was in the Emirates FA Cup third round in 2021. A Ryan Law goal in extra time gave the Pilgrims a 1-0 win, which led to a game at Chelsea in the next round.

A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will wear their white away kit for this match. 

Tickets
Argyle have sold out the away end at St Andrew's. For an update on collecting tickets or ordering duplicates, read this.

Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, hosted by Charlie Price and Marc Edworthy, will begin at 2pm, and is available to watch for free on YouTube.

Domestic supporters can listen to audio commentary on Argyle TV, while international supporters can buy a match pass to watch the game, here. Commentary, live from St Andrew's, will be provided by Rob McNichol and Hasney Aljofree.

Away kit on sale

Dan Scarr v Birmingham

Birmingham City 2
Hogan 9 Stansfield 90 +4

Argyle 1
Hardie 60

For the second week in a row, Argyle slipped to a last-gasp defeat after a vicious strike from substitute Jay Stansifeld in the final minute of stoppage time.

Birmingham City led through an early goal from Scott Hogan but the Greens then controlled the next 82 minutes, moving the ball around with pace and precision.

The equaliser arrived on the hour, Ryan Hardie pouncing on a rebound, and Argyle were the side looking more likely to win it until Stansfield lashed in a debut winner for the hosts.

Argyle manager Steven Schumacher made one change from the side that lost narrowly to Southampton last weekend, Adam Randell replacing Luke Cundle in midfield.

City were the brighter starters in the sunshine of St Andrews, Koji Miyoshi forcing a decent save from Conor Hazard.

The Greens then settled into a period of calm and a neat pass from Randell released Morgan Whittaker for a strike off target.

Birmingham led from the next attack, Miyoshi fizzing over a low cross for Hogan to convert from close range and it was nearly two in two minutes, Hazard tipping over an effort from Keshi Anderson.

Good defending from Bali Mumba helped the Pilgrims recover into a strong period of possession and control, Randell feeding Hardie for a chip that proved comfortable for John Ruddy in the home goal.

The Pilgrims reacted superbly to the early setback, with Mumba a constant menace, but the Blues did carry a threat on the counter, Anderson jinking inside from the left for a shot deflected over the bar.

Heading past the half-hour, Argyle continued to control much of the play, as a patient build up created room for Kaine Kesler-Hayden to have a pop from 25 yards but it was straight into the arms of Ruddy.

A knock for Jordan Houghton resulted in a new headband for the midfielder but the resumption prompted more probing from the Greens, who were enjoying virtually total dominance of the ball and territory.

Argyle’s football was scintillating at times but any reward would have to wait until the second half.

After an early flurry from the hosts, Argyle resumed their pressure on the Birmingham defence and a fabulous spurt of pace from Whittaker created space for a right-foot drive that cannoned off the bar. Randell was fouled just outside the box from the rebound but the resultant Whittaker free-kick hit the wall.

The Green Army roared their approval as the siege continued. Randell won the ball on the edge of his area, pumped a lovely forward for the run of Hardie, who beat the last man but was thwarted by another Ruddy save.

Not the next time though.

Whittaker shifted the ball on to his left for a shot parried by the beleaguered Ruddy and the rebound was perfect for Hardie to slot a fully deserved leveller.

A fantastic block from Kesler-Hayden denied Birmingham after a swift break before an important Dan Scarr toe prevented Hogan from reaching a threaded pass.

The Blues had reacted very well to the equaliser, forcing Hazard into a punched save from a whipped corner. Matt Butcher for Randell was the first Argyle change and within seconds, he slid a dangerous low pass across the penalty area but Birmingham just about cleared.

Whittaker followed up with a swerving shot from distance, held by Ruddy. Julio Pleguezuelo replaced Kesler-Hatden on 78 minutes, while former Green Lukas Jutkiewicz came on for the Blues, as the Pilgrims resumed control of possession and territory. It was then Mickel Miller and Callum Wright for Mumba and Finn Azaz.

The game was crying out for one more big chance and Argyle were the side knocking on the door, with Whittaker still full of running and Butcher looking to break into the box at every opportunity.

One last corner for the Pilgrims was headed back into danger for the lurking Houghton but Birmingham cleared and pinched winner through Stansfield in the final seconds.

However much it hurts, it was a superb goal from Stansfield, volleying into the roof of the net to break Pilgrim hearts after what had been a tremendous performance on the road.

Football can be cruel!

Birmingham: 21 John Ruddy; 3 Lee Buchanan, 5 Dion Sanderson (capt), 6 Krystian Bielik, 7 Juninho Bacuna, 9 Scott Hogan (10 Lukas Jutkiewicz 82), 11 Koji Miyoshi (35 George Hall 78), 14 Keshi Anderson (23 Emmanuel Longelo 82), 19 Jordan James (28 Jay Stansfield 62), 26 Kevin Long, 34 Ivan Sunjic. Substitutes (not used): 1 Neil Etheridge (gk), 4 Marc Roberts, 16 Sam Cosgrove, 20 Gary Gardner, 27 Brandon Khela.

Booked: Sanderson 23, Buchanan 73

Argyle: 21 Conor Hazard; 2 Bali Mumba (14 Mickel Miller 84), 4 Jordan Houghton, 6 Dan Scarr, 8 Joe Edwards (capt), 9 Ryan Hardie, 10 Morgan Whittaker, 17 Lewis Gibson, 18 Finn Azaz (11 Callum Wright 84), 20 Adam Randell (7 Matt Butcher 74), 29 Kaine Kesler-Hayden (5 Julio Pleguezuelo 78). Substitutes (not used): 25 Callum Burton (gk), 16 Lewis Warrington, 19 Tyreik Wright, 23 Ben Waine, 28 Luke Cundle.

Booked: Randell 49

Referee: John Busby

Attendance: 20,685 (1,970 away)