PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM CITY (A)

3 August 2022

All you need to know ahead of Town’s first Sky Bet Championship away game

- Birmingham City vs Huddersfield Town preview
- First 2022/23 Sky Bet Championship away game
- Get your ticket for the game online now!

Huddersfield Town continue their Sky Bet Championship season on Friday 5 August when they travel to St Andrews to take on Birmingham City; 7.45pm kick-off.

Town go into Friday’s game on the back of a 0-1 loss against Burnley on Friday 29 July 2022.

Birmingham City also come into this game looking for their first win of the season after they were held to a 0-0 draw against Luton Town on Saturday 30 July.

THE OPPOSITION

This is Birmingham City’s 12th consecutive season in the Championship and they will be looking to improve on their 20th place finish last season.

The Blues appointed John Eustace (pictured above) as their Head Coach at the beginning of July, after they parted ways with Lee Bowyer.

ONES TO WATCH

John Ruddy

A new summer signing this season, goalkeeper John Ruddy joined Birmingham City on a one-year contract from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ruddy made the move to St Andrew's after making 50 appearances over five years at Wolves, and was the first choice in the Wanderers team that won promotion to the Premier League. That same season saw Ruddy named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year and awarded the EFL’s Golden Glove Award for the most clean sheets with 24 to his name. The 35 year old will be looking to recapture that form with the Blues this season.

John Ruddy Birmingham Ciy 16x9.png

Marc Roberts

The defender joined Birmingham City in the summer of 2017 from Barnsley. Roberts was signed by Barnsley having played for Wakefield, Worksop Town, Buxton and Halifax Town, impressing at each. The defender went straight into the starting side after he signed his five-year contract and has been a large part of the side ever since. Standing at 6'4, the 32 year old has size and experience on his side, with his reading of the game a real positive of his. To date, he has played nearly 150 games for the Blues, scoring seven goals.

Marc Roberts Birmingham City 16x9.png

Przemysław Placheta

Another of the new signings made so far this transfer window, Placheta joined Birmingham City on a season long loan from Norwich City. The 24-year-old has spent the last two years with Norwich, making 38 appearances for the former Premier League side whilst getting a goal to his name in the top flight. A full international for Poland, the left-winger will be looking to cause trouble at the back for the Town defence on Friday night.

Placheta Birmingham City 16x9.png

TEAM NEWS

Town Head Coach Danny Schofield will provide the latest on the fitness of his squad in his press conference on Thursday 4 August 2022.

KIT

Town will be in their new pink third kit for Friday’s game.

CLICK HERE to buy your 2022/23 third shirt!

HOW TO WATCH

Tickets are on sale online now – CLICK HERE – and are available to purchase from the Ticket Office.

Adult - £15
Senior (65+) - £10
19-24 - £10
13-18 - £5
Under 13s - £1

For full ticket information for St Andrew's, please CLICK HERE.

DISABLED SUPPORTERS

Wheelchair and ambulant tickets are charged at the above prices but come with a free additional companion.

All under-15s must be accompanied by an adult or they will be refused entry at the turnstile.

HOW TO WATCH AND LISTEN

If you’re unable to attend the game, you’ll be able to watch and listen along via iFollow HTAFC!

A single match pass for the Terriers trip to Birmingham is just £10, and supporters will be able to stream the full 90 minutes of action for that price.

Town fans will also be able to listen to Friday’s game through our live audio commentary by purchasing either a Season, Monthly or an Audio Match Pass to tune in live. You can purchase a UK Season pass for £45, Monthly Pass for £4.49 or an Audio Match Pass for £2.50.

CLICK HERE to sign up to iFollow HTAFC!

Match Reports

REPORT: BIRMINGHAM CITY 2-1 TOWN

5 August 2022

Town beaten away from home

- Birmingham City 2-1 Huddersfield Town
- Town fall to defeat on the road
- Danny Ward on the scoresheet for the Terriers

Huddersfield Town were beaten in their first away game of the 2022/23 Sky Bet Championship, losing 2-1 to Birmingham City on Friday evening.

A game of two halves, goals either end of the first half left the Terriers with a mountain to climb at St. Andrew’s.

It was the hosts who got out of the blocks fastest, opening the scoring in just the fifth minute. Juninho Bacuna’s cross from the right was met by Scott Hogan’s diving header to give the hosts the lead.

The game settled, with Birmingham enjoying plenty of possession. Town tried to get themselves into the game, but Birmingham defended well to keep them at bay.

The 20th minute saw Sorba Thomas receive the first booking of the game for a high foot on Przemyslaw Placheta.

Four minutes later, Town almost has a chance as Josh Ruffels unleashed a great hit on the half volley, but it was saved by John Ruddy.

The Terriers’ second yellow came in the 32nd minute, with Jon Russell going into the referees book for challenging former Town man Juninho Bacuna on the edge of his own box.

Birmingham continued to pile on the pressure, with it paying off on the stroke of half-time. Despite Lee Nicholls doing well to block Birmingham’s first shot, Placheta’s rebound was able to evade our ‘keeper.

The second half started better for Town, with some nice build up from Tino Anjorin and Jack Rudoni giving Ruffels a chance to cross. Unfortunately, his ball went behind for a goal kick.

Seconds later, Thomas had a HUGE chance to get his name on the scoresheet right in the middle of the box, but he went for power over placement and dragged his effort well wide.

Town continued to hunt for a goal, with Thomas hitting the target in the 56th minute from a cross, which Ruddy had to tip over for a corner.

Town finally pulled one back in the 61st minute, courtesy of Danny Ward! A great passing move from the Terriers ended with Russell and Thomas combining, with the latter feeding Wardy, who finished smartly on his right.

Two minutes later, Town won a dangerous free-kick after Bacuna fouled Anjorin on the edge of the box. Unfortunately, it came to nothing.

Town’s goal clearly reinvigorated the Terriers, with the 66th minute seeing Anjorin blast one over after another threating break from the Terriers.

Birmingham proved a threat four minutes later, but some great positioning from Nicholls saw him catch a really well hit strike from Bacuna.

The game then settled for a period, with both sides pouring forward at pace.

Town made three changes as the clock showed 76 minutes played, with Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Tino Anjorin, and Danny Ward making way for Will Boyle, Duane Holmes, and Jordan Rhodes.

The 81st minute saw Town come close to getting an equaliser. Holmes backheeled to Thomas, who pinged the ball to Rhodes, whose shot was blocked, and he couldn’t gather the rebound off balance!

Four minutes later, there was a big appeal from Rhodes who was tripped, but Gavin Ward wasn’t interested.

The final chance of the game fell to the hosts, but Nicholls was on hand to save Bacuna’s effort.

Town’s attention now turns to the Carabao Cup, as they welcome Preston North End to the John Smith’s Stadium on Tuesday 9 August 2022.

Town’s Line-Up (4-4-2)

Lee Nicholls; Josh Ruffels, Tom Lees, Rarmani Edmonds-Green (Will Boyle, 75’), Ollie Turton; Jack Rudoni (Josh Koroma, 88’), Jon Russell, Jonathan Hogg, Sorba Thomas; Tino Anjorin (Duane Holmes, 75’), Danny Ward (Jordan Rhodes, 75’)

Unused Subs

Jacob Chapman; Etienne Camara, Yuta Nakayama

Town Scorer

Danny Ward (61’)

Town Bookings

Sorba Thomas (22’), Jon Russell (32’)