More than one hitman looks crucial for Blues

GOALSCORERS - every club wants one but they are perhaps the most difficult piece of the jigsaw to find.

- DAVE POWELL

Birmingham City could use another centre-forward this summer to lighten the load on Jay Stansfield and ensure they have the firepower to compete at the top of the Championship.

But they won’t be the only Championship club searching for a striker.

What do Stoke City need more than anything else? “A mercurial, powerful, goal-scoring striker who can put defenders on their backsides and get fans on their feet,” says Stoke reporter Pete Smith.

And Derby County? “A new attack,” DerbyshireLive’s Leigh Curtis explains. “The problems Derby had last season wasn’t so much defensively, but at the other end of the pitch. John Eustace did a remarkable job when you consider the leading scorer only had 10 goals which was Jerry Yates, who was followed by Ebou Adams with six,” Leigh added.

“Nearly half of the goals Derby scored in the Championship last season were from set-pieces and Eustace effectively had to play the hand he was dealt. He wasn’t given much in terms of firepower and that needs to change.”