To achieve promotion from the Championship you need goals. Preferably lots of ’em.
The perceived wisdom is that 75+ plus is the benchmark to give you the best chance.
Defensive capability is a must obviously. Burnley managed to defend their way to promotion in 2024/25.
So probably a good marker is goal difference, with approaching +35 seemingly telling during the past few seasons.
But as in cricket, where wicket-takers make the difference, so it is in football – goals and goalscorers are the true, high value currency.
By bringing in Marvin Ducksch, from Werder Bremen, Blues are continuing to enhance their attacking options.
It’s not just that the 31-year-old’s numbers are impressive, but it seems he is a good fit for how Chris Davies wants Blues to play.
Ducksch should add more variety to Blues source of goals and creativity.
The twice-capped German international netted 54 times for Bremen in 134 appearances, with 40 assists. He’s averaged 17 goals contributions in his last three seasons in the Bundesliga, after helping to fire Bremen to promotion.
He also has a bit of ‘something’ about him that could, if he takes to it like a Ducksch to water (sorry . . . ) make him a terrace cult hero.
Ducksch has been at his best in a position off the main striker, in the nominal 10 pocket. He can roam, run, find space and create effectively for others, as well as stick the ball in the back of the net. He’s a handy free-kick taker, too. His link with Niclas Füllkrug was instrumental for Bremen, until his sale to West Ham United.
Assuming Davies is to use Ducksch in a similar way, then it makes things very interesting.
Willum Willumsson had the role at the start, and for the most part, of Blues League One campaign. Davies tweaked it mid-season for a spell, using Lyndon Dykes there, and not as a traditional number 9.
Tommy Doyle has played behind the frontman in pre-season – and we have still to see Kanya Fujimoto in action, a clever, technical player who can fit centrally or in the wide attack.
Presumably Jay Stansfield and Kyogo Furuhashi – the Japanese bringing another dimension in speed, movement and finishing ability – are primed to compete for the striker’s spot up top.
So, when you put it all together, the ways and means Blues have available in the final third are diverse as they head into the big kick-off against Ipswich Town.
Out wide, the reliable Keshi Anderson and Demarai Gray are main options (with Scott Wright still to return after long-term injury) plus George Hall in the mix too as Emil Hansson is out of picture, on a season loan to Blackpool.
This re-tooling of Blues in attack is a reason why the popular Alfie May was sold to Huddersfield Town. With the calibre of players like Kyogo, Kanya and now Ducksch coming through the door, he was not likely to be featuring as much this season.
How it all meshes together is moot. But no doubt Blues will have carefully done their homework on the new recruits and what they can bring to the table, to enhance the forward-area prowess compared to last season.
There is plenty of competition, plenty of options and – hopefully – plenty of chance creation and goals to come.
Blues are likely to have to find different ways to score compared to last season when it was mainly about ‘pounding the rock’ as opposition sat off.
Davies has also added more elements of pace, athleticism and mental strength – these players have performed at top levels and are used to pressure and expectation.
Davies’ comments to Richard Wilford on an enlightening Radio WM special were interesting when asked about the difficulties of keeping everyone happy, for example in regard the goalkeeper situation.
“I’d rather have a headache trying to manage the players than have a headache not having enough,” Davies said.
The same can be applied to the scenario up the other end of the field.
Davies, speaking generally, also gave an insight into his leadership process and said he had clear aims in the close season to improve the squad.
“When you decide, you divide. That’s a really compelling statement because it’s true. You have to make decisions in the terms of this squad. And we have to get this balance right. How can we keep the core of what was successful for us in terms of our team spirit, our togetherness, that fighting spirit and system of play, but add to it? That’s what I’ve been trying to navigate this summer.”
