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Gems from League One and Two Birmingham City could sign on their crusade to the Championship
Birmingham City’s relegation to League One has opened supporters’ eyes to a world of new players.
The quality of opposition is far lower than Blues have experienced in the Championship and the talent pool is smaller, but there are gems worth watching in Leagues One and Two. Blues have already faced some of them this season, be it in League One matches or the Bristol Street Motors Trophy where Blues finished runners-up in their group to Walsall.
Blues have widened their search net beyond these shores but English-based players are still capable of meeting their criteria. Here are some who have caught the eye against Blues this term…
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Richard Kone
Club: Wycombe Wanderers
Position: Striker
Football provides many heartwarming stories and Kone’s journey from representing the Ivory Coast at the Homeless World Cup when he was 17 to becoming a top League One striker is most certainly one.
Kone has nine goals in 16 League One matches this term and caused Blues’ centre-backs issues when they played Wycombe in August. Including cup goals, Kone has 12 to his name in all competitions.
Having only turned 21 over the summer, Kone is bound to have suitors higher up the pyramid. The striker’s 6ft 2in frame makes him a handful for defenders.
Connor Barrett
Club: Walsall
Position: Right-back
Walsall have cherry-picked a few players from non-league in the last 18 months and all of them are mainstays in Mat Sadler’s promotion-chasing XI. Right-back Connor Barrett has perhaps impressed most and looked superb when Walsall played at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park in September.
Not only did Barrett keep Ayumu Yokoyama quiet on the night, he also had an impact going forward with a superb run and pass for Charlie Lakin’s goal. Barrett has five assists to his name in League Two – only one player has more.
“I think they’ve taken a few off me,” says Barrett. “I’m in a good place at the moment, finding my form, long may it continue.”
Hector Kyprianou
Club: Peterborough United
Position: Midfield
Kyprianou is the most eye-catching midfielder Blues have faced this season and one of the few who hasn’t looked completely overawed by Paik Seung-ho and Tomoki Iwata.
He knitted Peterborough’s play together nicely at St Andrew’s and was always willing to take the ball under pressure. If Blues needed a midfielder then Kyprianou would be a good bet.
Kwame Poku
Club: Peterborough United
Position: Right-winger
While Poku wasn’t at his best when Posh played at St Andrew’s, it is impossible to ignore the man who has made the most goal contributions in League One. Poku has recorded 10 goals and five assists in his 16 matches.
During his appearance on the Keep Right On Podcast in September, Peterborough’s director of football – and ex-Blues manager – Barry Fry suggested the winger could end up at St Andrew’s.
Fry said: “I’m sure Craig (Gardner) will come in for one other player I’ve got and he’ll perhaps come round to my way of thinking. He’s got to pay my money instead of his!”
Pressed for a name, Fry eventually relented when asked if the player in question is a 23-year-old winger. “Yeah, something like that,” he said. “And he’s the top scorer in the league at the moment with your fellas!”
Kayne Ramsay
Club: Charlton Athletic
Position: Right-back
The right-back situation at Blues isn't completely clear-cut. Ethan Laird is tied down long-term but Alfons Sampsted is only on loan, with an option to buy, so Blues might need to dip back into the market for a right-back if that option isn't taken.
Ramsay is a very different right-back to Barrett. He excelled defensively against Blues in October and completely killed Keshi Anderson's influence on the game.
