Five stats from Birmingham City’s disappointing season; it is clear where Redknapp needs to improve

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Birmingham City’s poor 2016/7 campaign came to a close last week. Here are five stats that show where they must improve next season.

Goals Scored – 45 (22^nd)

Harry Redknapp will be searching for a Championship goal scorer this summer after his Birmingham City side only managed 45 goals all season. That return is the third worst in the division – only ahead of relegated clubs Rotherham United and Wigan Athletic.

Incredibly, the Blues only managed a miserly 16 goals during Gianfranco Zola’s ill-fated spell in charge.

Open play goals – 22 (24^th)

Had it not been for their effectiveness at set-plays, Birmingham could have easily dropped into English football’s third-tier. That’s because the Blues ranked bottom of the league for goals scored from open play. Relegated Blackburn Rovers managed ten more, while play-off contenders Fulham amassed an impressive 65 goals.

Big Chances Created – 57 (6^th)

Despite their poor run in front of goal, Birmingham still created the 6^th most clear cut scoring opportunities in the Championship. Automatic promotion winners Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion were among the few teams that managed to create more than the Blues.

A clinical finisher of Kevin Phillips’ ilk might solve this problem.

Fouls committed – 587 (4^th)

Redknapp will be looking to instill greater discipline in his side next season. Birmingham committed the 4^th most fouls in the division – and picked up the 2^nd most yellow cards (93).

On a positive note, Birmingham comfortably finished top of the table for fouls won (628).

Dispossessed – 592

Birmingham were dispossessed more often than any other club in the league. The likes of Che Adams (85 times), Lukas Jutkiewicz (68) and Jacques Maghoma (60) were the main culprits. It certainly shows that Birmingham need to improve on their approach in the final third.