{"id":601534,"date":"2021-09-10T15:03:45","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T19:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=601534"},"modified":"2021-09-10T15:03:45","modified_gmt":"2021-09-10T19:03:45","slug":"troy-deeney-birmingham-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/09\/10\/troy-deeney-birmingham-city\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect From Troy Deeney at Birmingham City"},"content":{"rendered":"

Troy Deeney completed a sudden move to his boyhood club, Birmingham City, and sent joyous shockwaves through the Bluenose fanbase 0n deadline day.\u00a0 After an incredible 11 year career at Watford<\/a>, the Chelmsley native has decided to return home. What a story it is.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

A local lad being catapulted into a dazzling career at the peak of world football, to then complete his decorated career at the club that made him fall in love with the sport.\u00a0 It really is a story anyone can get behind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Troy Deeney and His Move to Birmingham City<\/h2>\n

Experienced<\/h3>\n

Despite playing in the Premier League for most of his senior career, Deeney always kept his bond with England’s second city.\u00a0 Maintaining relationships with prominent Birmingham players and fans, to the club’s crest engraved into his right leg.\u00a0 There is no doubt the man is a Blue through and through.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

However, heart-warming narratives do not win football matches, and some Blues fans have their doubts as to why exactly manager Lee Bowyer<\/a> thought this a necessary move.\u00a0 Are these questions justified?\u00a0 Can Troy Deeney still perform to the best of his ability at 33 years old?\u00a0 And where exactly does the ex-Watford captain fit in Bowyer’s plans going forward?<\/span><\/p>\n

Deeney is Natural Leader<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rather than simply being another part of the reformed Birmingham City, Troy Deeney could in fact be integral to their push for the top six. His presence may be felt off the pitch even more than on it.\u00a0 Deeney is well renowned by Watford fans and other players as a vocal force in the changing rooms.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

He is a man who isn’t afraid to say it how it is and drive the heart and passion into his teammates.\u00a0 Craig Gardner summed it up perfectly in a recent interview<\/a> with the club: “<\/span>Troy’s came in, and you see that nastiness about him.\u00a0 That’s what we’ve been missing.\u00a0 That’s what we need.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Tactics can go a long way but can only get you so far.\u00a0 Birmingham found this out the hard way under previous coach Aitor Karanka<\/a>.\u00a0 The man who served alongside Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid<\/a>, along with a successful seven years at Middlesbrough, couldn’t quite cut it in the West Midlands.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

His intricate approach to gameplay he was used to was far from the rough and ready style Birmingham have always been associated with.\u00a0 Lee Bowyer, and now Troy Deeney, are synonymous with that fighting style. Deeney is that on-field figure that Birmingham have been missing. \u00a0 And as a fan of the club, you can be sure that he will be fighting tooth and nail for every point and demand the same from those around him.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Doubters<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Behind the jubilation, there is also plenty of doubt from neutrals and even sections of the Birmingham fanbase.\u00a0 As with all strikers who move teams in their mid-thirties, Troy Deeney has his star qualities in question.\u00a0 Can a 33-year-old really push an excelling Birmingham City over the line?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

It is a fair assessment to say the Blues will not be getting a prime Premier League striker at the peak of his fitness or abilities.\u00a0 But the idea that upper echelon players can only maintain an ‘all or nothing’ worth is ridiculous.\u00a0 Despite not being five years younger, what Troy Deeney can currently offer is something that all Championship clubs would benefit from.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

His tendency to bully even the toughest of centre backs is still going to be utilised.\u00a0 Not to mention a player who truly puts his heart and soul into every touch is worth its weight in gold to any team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, where Deeney will fit into Lee Bowyer’s current tactical setup is a more hazy answer.\u00a0 Lukas Jutkiewicz<\/a> is a striker who has grown into a cult-like hero at St Andrews, who also happens to be in brilliant form.\u00a0 Possessing similar attributes as a ‘hardened’ forward, this could cause issues for Troy Deeney’s immediate involvement in Birmingham’s starting 11.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Scott Hogan is another striker regularly seeing a starting role for quite some time.\u00a0 Offering a different alternative to the Birmingham frontline, this pacey striker can carry the ball much quicker and effectively, making him the perfect accompaniment to a player such as Jutkiewicz or Deeney.\u00a0 Taking either of these two strikers for Deeney could become problematic.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Does Bowyer leave out a crucial Lukas Jutkiewicz for Deeney in a like-for-like swap?\u00a0 Or does he replace Scott Hogan and risk switching up his game plan to split defences?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bowyer’s Decision<\/h3>\n

The probable answer to this is, in fact, neither.\u00a0 The likelihood will be the three strikers working on a rotation basis.\u00a0 With Championship teams seeing 46 games in a season, along with additional cup competitions, fatigue becomes evident across the entire league. Birmingham are no exception, with Jutkiewicz’s endurance being especially criticised previously.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With this in mind, as well as his established leadership qualities, Troy Deeney could be the missing link between Birmingham City and a 2021\/22 promotion push.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>