Chris Quinn has agreed to write the odd article for us. In the light of yesterday’s draw for the Carling Cup, Chris has knocked up this quick preview.

So, before we’ve even kicked a Premier League ball this season; Blues have been handed a second-round Carling Cup fixture at home to League One outfit Rochdale.

Had the tie been away from home, it would have had the making of a classic cup banana skin. Under manager Keith Hill, Rochdale have turned themselves from League Two fodder into a team that is hard to break down, and tries to play football ‘the right way’.

This was in evidence last season, as, after 36 consecutive years in League Two, ‘The Dale’ finally stepped up to win promotion and this term are playing in League One.

Their opening game of the season saw them draw 0-0 at home to Hartlepool, but they impressively overcame Championship side Barnsley, beating the Tykes 1-0 at Oakwell, on Tuesday to set up the game at St. Andrews.

Blues will need to be wary of ex-Leicester man Chris O’Grady, but the loss of Chris Dagnall to Scunthorpe this summer will hit Rochdale hard. Elsewhere, long-serving centre-midfielder and captain Gary Jones will need to be watched as he is often the driving force for Dale.

As long as Blues stay focused, I’m sure we could brush past a team who will be focusing more on staying in their division, after working so hard to get there, than a cup run against the rich and the famous.

A more in-depth preview will follow in the build-up to the match, but there is a preview of what to expect when Rochdale come to St.Andrews the week commencing August 23rd.

Chris Quinn