On the back of last season’s near-miss with promotion to the Premier League, new Huddersfield head coach Danny Schofield would have hoped to see his side show signs that they are capable of another bid for the top six.
However, the Yorkshire outfit looked a shell of the side which went so close under Carlos Corberan as Burnley deservedly prevailed at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Failing to trouble opponents that were full of new players will concern Schofield, the greater familiarity in his own ranks proving to be of no benefit.
On the plus side, it is still early days in the campaign, and Schofield will feel that a number of further arrivals can act as the catalyst for better outcomes over the coming weeks.
As far as Birmingham are concerned, they went up against a side in Luton who lost out to Huddersfield in last season’s Championship playoff semi-finals.
With the Hatters enjoying a far smoother summer than Birmingham, who have endured an eventful period behind the scenes, the expectation was that Luton would earn a comfortable win at Kenilworth Road.
However, Blues were superb from a defensive standpoint and deservedly secured a share of the spoils, one which will be perceived to be a bonus given that John Eustace only came through the St Andrew’s arrival door last month.
John Ruddy and Dion Sanderson – the former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper and current loanee – look important additions in defence, but Eustace will eventually hope for more firepower from his experienced front three.
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Barring any fitness issues, Eustace is unlikely to tinker with his Blues XI, particularly in defensive and midfield areas.
Lukas Jutkiewicz is an alternative for Scott Hogan, but the Republic of Ireland international is expected to partner Troy Deeney in attack.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield will be without Matty Pearson and David Kasumu, who face spells on the sidelines with foot and hamstring injuries respectively.
Schofield may want to give his front three another opportunity, but Tino Anjorin and Jordan Rhodes are both pushing for starting roles.
