Birmingham City v Brentford preview

Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2010 by Imscouting.com

Birmingham City v Brentford, Carling Cup, Fourth Round
Tuesday, 26 October, St Andrews, Birmingham

The Carling Cup resumes this week and the focus will surely be on two of the Premier League big boys. Manchester United take on Wolves at Old Trafford, while Arsene Wenger looks likely to play an uncharacteristically strong side for the clash against Newcastle.

In the last round, Northampton Town memorably knocked out Roy Hodgson's Liverpool side on a rainy night at Anfield in round three. At the same time, Liverpool's Merseyside neighbours Everton fared no better, being knocked out on penalties at Brentford. While Northampton travel to Ipswich, Brentford have been rewarded with a trip to one of the Premier League's toughest venues and face Birmingham City at St Andrews.

Breaching fortress St Andrews

Until recently, Birmingham had a reputation as a 'yo yo' side, unable to hold their own in the top flight, but too classy for the Championship. That perception has altered of late and much of it is down to an impressive home form and a solidity which Alex McLeish has instilled at the back.

The Birmingham back four has basically picked itself for over a year and it is about as consistent and solid a unit as you will find. Veteran Stephen Carr is as tenacious as ever, while Roger Johnson has been a revelation since arriving from Cardiff before last season. Scott Dann was signed by McLeish at the same time as Johnson and has proved to be equally as important to the side. Liam Ridgewell completes the back four and the fact that he is a popular figure among Blues fans despite having played for Aston Villa is a measure of how impressive he is.

Birmingham have conceded just three goals at home all season. However, Everton handed them a rare defeat at St Andrews at the start of the month, ending a club-record eighteen games undefeated at home.

Gary Alexander and Charlie MacDonald carry the Bees' hopes

Brentford will take heart from their performance against a strong Everton side in the last round. In addition, the Bees have also seen an improvement in their league form of late. Andy Scott's side have won three of their last four League One outings, including a solid weekend display against Peterborough, winning 2-1. Brentford showed character to come back from a goal down against Posh and also exhibited the kind of physical strength that will be important against an imposing Birmingham side.

Among the goalscorers on Saturday was Gary Alexander. Alongside Charlie MacDonald, they will be charged with the task of breaching the Birmingham defence. Although veteran hitman and former Birmingham player Nicky Forster will be desperate to start at St Andrews, having just returned from injury, Andy Scott is likely to stick with Alexander and MacDonald.

Birmingham City v Brentford preview

Gary Alexander (2010 - )
Age: 31
Goals this season: 4
Brentford record: 13 games, 4 goals

Alexander is somewhat of a lower-league journeyman, but has a decent scoring record at every club he has played for. Despite supporting Millwall as a boy, he joined West Ham as a youngster but never made a first-team appearance.

At Exeter City, Alexander caught the eye with 16 goals in 37 games and earned a £500,000 move to Swindon Town. However, he was soon moved on to Hull City, where he hit a purple patch, scoring 23 goals in the 2001/2 season. Following four years at Leyton Orient, he earned his dream move to Millwall. In three years at the Den, Alexander scored 19 goals, including a double strike in the 2009 play-off final, one of which was one of the best goals Wembley has seen.

The 6ft striker joined Brentford this summer and he has started his Griffin Park career well. Alexander's physical style has caused problems for defences, his latest strike a brave header against Peterborough at the weekend.