Having taken only one point from four games since going out of the cup on penalties to Tuesday’s opponents, Birmingham are without a win for almost a month ahead of their fourth home game of the season.
John Eustace saw his side beaten 2-0 at Rotherham on Saturday, as they rarely troubled their hosts at the New York Stadium, and they have accrued just five points from six fixtures so far.
Given well-documented issues off the pitch, many expect Blues to be embroiled in another scrap to avoid relegation this year, after finishing 20th last term, and their start certainly indicates that could be the case.
Though they fought back from behind to draw 2-2 with Norwich earlier this month, before succumbing on spot-kicks, goals have been at a premium – despite the presence of a highly-experienced front pair.
Captain Troy Deeney and his strike partner Scott Hogan have both failed to deliver in the final third, and Birmingham are without a goal in over 250 minutes of football, since George Hall’s effort in the draw with Watford – to alleviate fears of a season-long struggle, they will need to start firing soon.
By stark contrast with their hosts, Norwich have a striker hitting top form in the early stages of the season, as Josh Sargentscored his fourth goal in three games during Saturday’s win over Sunderland – their third Championship victory in a row.
Having endured an awful first half of 2022, as they slid ignominiously out of the Premier League, success at the Stadium of Light was the Canaries’ first win on their travels since beating Watford back in January.
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After Sargent’s strikes secured maximum points against both Huddersfield and Millwall, the USA international’s latest goal puts Norwich within touching distance of top spot in the Championship, as they seek an immediate return to the top flight.
If they are to ultimately gain a third promotion in five seasons, Dean Smith’s side – who had a taste of their own medicine when being knocked out of EFL Cup on penalties last week – must continue to compile points on the road.
Smith is sure to receive a particularly warm welcome in B9, as a former Aston Villa manager and lifelong fan of Blues’ bitter rivals, but will be fully focused on his target of taking three points back to Norfolk.
