Birmingham have enjoyed another promising season in the Championship.
Former Birmingham City striker Dele Adebola has singled current Blues star Ryan Shotton out for praise and suggested that the defender has been immense for Gary Rowett’s side, the Birmingham Mail reports.
After 20 games of the league season, Birmingham sit eighth in the Championship and just one point off the play-off places in the division.
Birmingham’s Ryan Shotton
And while they have not collected a single point from their last two games, Adebola has explained how impressed he continues to be by the form of the 28-year-old.
“Ryan Shotton at centre back has been immense. His athleticism, positioning and timing defensively has allowed us to commit more players forward which has changed the dynamic of the side,” he said, as reported by the Mail.
Rowett will be hoping that Shotton justifies Adebola’s praise during their clash with Ipswich Town tonight. The Blues may be flying high in the table, but are going into the game off the back of two brutal defeats.
Birmingham manager Gary Rowett
While there is no shame in losing away at leaders Newcastle, the fact that it was a 4-0 defeat immediately after a much more surprising 3-0 home loss against Barnsley may suggest to some that the Blues’ bubble is beginning to burst.
However, with many probably not fancying them to be in play-off contention in the first place this term, just like last season, Rowett will have no problem motivating his players to go out and prove that those writing them off have done so too early.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
