SHA Small Heath Alliance

Watch the best of the action from North Wales as Blues secure their first league win of the season

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Can anyone post (or cut n paste) Alex Dicken’s player ratings from last night, on here?

Casper

Can anyone post (or cut n paste) Alex Dicken’s player ratings from last night, on here?

James Beadle 8

Beadle has returned to Blues with a point to prove this season and he made another couple of crucial stops in this game. Beadle brilliantly denied Moore late on before reacting rapidly to thwart Smith too. It was another big moment for the young goalkeeper.

Bright Osayi-Samuel 8

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Used his speed to get back to bail out Neumann on the one occasion Moore got the better of him and brilliantly denied Smith a scoring chance at the death. Defended well.

Phil Neumann 9.5

What a start to the season Neumann has made. He has become indispensable at the back and gave Blues the necessary punch in attack against Wrexham with a brace no one saw coming. The first header was about sheer desire, the second was perfectly placed. Had Neumann not been sat down by Moore inside his own box for a second half chance, we would have been talking about perfection.

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Birmingham City's Phil Neumann (right) celebrates after scoring during the Sky Bet Championship match at Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.
Birmingham City's Phil Neumann (right) celebrates after scoring during the Sky Bet Championship match at Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.

Christoph Klarer 8.5

Klarer is the centre-back who jumps out and engages with attackers and he effectively snapped into challenges with Rathbone and Broadhead to prevent shots at goal. Strong in the air and progressed the ball down the left side well.

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Alex Cochrane 8

The left-back’s deliveries are becoming a real weapon for Blues. A direct assist for Neumann’s opener means Cochrane has had a hand in three of Blues’ six goals this season.

Jhon Solis 9

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Solis controlled Blues’ play from deep in the first half before showing he can mix it when the game needs physicality. Put his foot on the ball to calm everything down at the end.

Tomoki Iwata 7.5

Iwata is picked so often by Davies because of his ability to put out fires in midfield and no one can say he didn't do that against Wrexham. The Japanese midfielder was also tidier in possession than in previous games.

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Carlos Vicente 7.5

Put one on a plate for Stansfield that should have resulted in another assist and Vicente was much improved on his recent displays. This was more like it.

Jay Stansfield 7

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Let’s start with the positives… Stansfield was much more involved on his return to the centre of Blues’ attack. He combined with those around him, made useful movements and pressed in a way only he can.

However, his failure to score from a gilt-edged position in the 24th minute is the latest sign that Stansfield’s confidence in front of goal is at rock-bottom. Stansfield doesn't need reminding that he's only scored twice since last November and only he can get himself out of this rut.

Demarai Gray 7

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Gray showed the speed and dribbling ability Blues have lacked on the left wing on his first Championship start of the season. He was instrumental in the build-up to Stansfield’s golden first half chance with a great piece of skill and pass into the box. After going down with a couple of knocks in the first half, Gray made way at half-time.

Birmingham City's Demarai Gray receives treatment for an injury during the Sky Bet Championship match at Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.
Birmingham City's Demarai Gray receives treatment for an injury during the Sky Bet Championship match at Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.

August Priske 8

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This was a top Championship centre-forward’s display. Priske was the perfect foil for the three players behind him, winning duels on the ground and in the air, and he produced a peach of a cross for Neumann’s second.

SUBS
Patrick Roberts (for Gray, 46) 6.5

Fought for everything in his longest outing since early April. Roberts showed his quality when he got into attacking areas and almost teed up Vicente to seal it late on.

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Paik Seung-ho (for Stansfield, 74) 6

First involvement saw him carelessly concede the ball in midfield but improved to help Blues see the game out.

Luis Vazquez (for Priske, 82) N/A

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Dael Fry (for Vicente, 90) N/A

Ethan Laird (for Osayi-Samuel, 90) N/A

Not used: Allsop, Lund, Wright, Ducksch

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Attendance:

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