Behind-the-scenes Birmingham City transformation highlighted in the space of two weeks
In the past two weeks Ethan Laird has trebled his goal contributions tally for Birmingham City last season. The in-form right-back has also now equalled the number of games he played in the entire 2023/24 campaign.
Laird continued his strong start to 2025 with the winning goal against Exeter City to keep Blues at the top of the League One table ahead of the double-header on the road at Wrexham and Huddersfield.
Two weeks on from a hat-trick of assists in the 3-0 win at Wigan – albeit Laird has only officially been credited with two – the 23-year-old scored his first goal for Blues on Saturday. It was just the second goal of Laird’s professional career.
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“Both of my goals in my career are the exact same, left-foot swingers! It's a brilliant feeling to be able to score and make a contribution to the team winning,” beamed Laird.
Arguably more impressive than Laird’s improved productivity in the opposition’s box is his availability. Laird has now played 26 games for Blues this season, the same number he managed last term after two separate injuries blighted the beginning of his St Andrew’s career and forced him to miss four months of football.
“Last year I was just a bit unfortunate,” Laird said. “It’s a shame that these things happen. This season, the gaffer is looking after my body, so as long as I can keep getting games my body will get used to it and who knows I might have years and years of not getting injured!”
Chris Davies has managed Laird’s minutes and there is a greater emphasis on recovery now than ever before at Blues’ training ground. Tom Brady and his ‘body coach’ Alex Guerrero have implemented a new way of thinking inside the Elite Performance and Innovation Centre in order to keep players out of the treatment room.
Whilst Blues have lost some key players in recent weeks, Laird’s improved availability record is a win for the club’s enhanced medical department. Injury prevention is a core focus in the TBRx branded medical suite at the club’s training ground.
Laird commented: “With the physio team and the staff, there’s more of a concentration on that. Last year was a bit crazy when we had injuries, but that’s football and you do get them. This year we have things in place where the physios are maybe giving four rubs instead of two, whatever it may be, just to keep people on the field.”
A new four-year contract in October signalled Blues’ belief in Laird and now, thanks to a combination of coaching and fitness, we are starting to see his potential on the field.
