A KLAR leader in the race to be Blues' standout performer

BIRMINGHAM City are a third of the way through the Championship season and the signs are encouraging based on their performance between the October and November international breaks.

- By ALEX DICKEN

Christoph Klarer competes with Marlon Pack of Portsmouth at St Andrew's

A haul of nine points from six games is just about playoffs form, albeit Blues have ground to make up after sluggish showings in September.

The likes of Christoph Klarer and Jay Stansfield have slotted into Championship life quite easily, but what about the rest of them? We've rated every Blues player who has played more than 150 league minutes in the opening 15 league games.

Allsop didn’t make a catalogue of mistakes but he lost his place in the team after a notable error against Sheffield Wednesday.

Beadle has grown in confidence between the sticks. A capable shot-stopper was expected but Beadle has become quite a commanding presence at the back for Blues. Three clean sheets in seven games isn’t bad going.

Laird was Blues’ best fullback before sustaining a hamstring injury in late September. Had he been fit, Laird would surely have regained his right-back position before midfielder Tomoki Iwata stepped in.

We were given a glimpse of Osayi-Samuel's potential in the Championship on the opening night against Ipswich but his level has dropped since then. The fact he is playing second fiddle to Iwata tells the story of Osayi-Samuel’s season so far.

Blues’ captain is probably the most dependable player at the club. When others have been inconsistent around him, Klarer has stood tall and carried on his form from last season.