Assessing the likely impact of the promoted sides can be a key ingredient to a successful fantasy season. It won’t take long for bargains amongst the Wolves, Burnley and Birmingham squads to emerge but if you can get in early and reap the rewards two to three weeks ahead of rivals, there are profits to be gained. Birmingham’s new signing, Roger Johnson, already appears to be a candidate worthy of consideration.
The 6ft 3in centre back arrives at St Andrews with the reputation as a commanding Championship defender who demonstrated he could cope with the step up during Cardiff’s cup run last term. Significantly, in his 44 games for the Welsh side last season, he also notched 5 goals and 4 assists. That’s a clear indication that he has a goal threat to mimic the returns of Stoke’s Shawcross and Hull’s Turner this season. What’s more, there’s also the promise that Birmingham will emerge as a decent option for cheap defenders…
Defensively Birmingham were very solid in their Championship promotion season. They collected 17 clean sheets and conceded 37 goals in their 46 games – the fewest in the division. It’s early days, with plenty more signings to come for both Burnley and Wolves, but it’s Birmingham that initially look the best equipped in this department.
There is one caveat. Despite last season’s form, Birmingham boss, Alex McCleish, does appear to be ringing the changes in his rearguard. Johnson is just one of three defensive signings, while Joe Hart has been brought in on loan and will presumably prise the goalkeepers jersey from veteran keeper Maik Taylor.
Long term, Johnson could well partner club skipper Liam Ridgewell in defence, however, he is currently sidelined having broken his leg in April and he will miss a significant chunk of the Premier League season. That could mean that Johnson will line up alongside fellow new signing Giovanny Espinoza, a powerful Ecuadorian international with over 80 caps. Another new defensive signing, England Under 21 international, Scott Dann, is another candidate for a centre back role. Stephen Carr and Franck Queudure are likely to lend their experience to defence from the full-back positions, although McCleish is also eyeing up Tottenham’s Bale, while Celtic’s Bolde Balde is another reported defensive target.
We need to approach with caution then, but Birmingham’s Championship stats and McCleish’s own background as a stubborn stopper, appear to make them a worthy consideration for that potentially precious cheap squad defender. Roger Johnson looks assured of starts in the Brum defence and seems worthy of shortlist status.