Birmingham City players ratings as two most valuable men denied at Rotherham

Alex Dicken rates the Birmingham City players after the Championship game against Rotherham United at the New York Stadium

Performance Analysis:

**John Ruddy: 7**
Ruddy showcased a solid performance, demonstrating reliability whenever Rotherham launched crosses into his box. His leadership, evident from being handed the captain’s armband, contributed to another clean sheet for Birmingham City.

**Ethan Laird: 6**
While Laird had minimal influence in the first half, he became more involved after halftime, venturing forward and occasionally combining well with Miyoshi. However, he struggled to capitalize on promising positions.

**Krystian Bielik: 7**
Bielik appeared comfortable in his role at center-back, effectively handling Rotherham’s aerial threat and displaying smart ball distribution from defense.

**Dion Sanderson: 6.5**
Sanderson performed well against the challenges posed by Hugill and Nombe, albeit lacking urgency in playing out from defense during the second half.

**Lee Buchanan: 6.5**
Buchanan displayed solid defensive capabilities on the left flank, showcasing improved form since Rowett’s arrival.

**Paik Seung-ho: 6**
Paik attempted to link attacks together, providing useful deliveries from set pieces, despite the lack of movement ahead of him for much of the game.

**Ivan Sunjic: 6**
Sunjic provided midfield stability, offering protection to Bielik and Sanderson while acting as an insurance policy for Birmingham City.

**Oliver Burke: 3**
Burke’s surprise selection did not pay off, as his poor touch and wasteful possession led to frustration among fans, ultimately resulting in his substitution at halftime.

**Tyler Roberts: 5**
Roberts failed to replicate his previous performance against Coventry, missing a significant scoring opportunity early in the match.

**Keshi Anderson: 5**
Anderson, part of the trio of ineffective attackers, struggled to make an impact and build on his previous showing against Coventry.

**Jay Stansfield: 7**
Stansfield demonstrated commitment and nearly scored a valid goal, contributing positively to the team’s efforts.

Substitutes:

**Koji Miyoshi: 7**
Miyoshi made a notable impact after coming on at halftime, with some of Birmingham’s best moments in the second half involving him. His performance suggests he could start in the next game.

**Juninho Bacuna: 5**
Bacuna had some positive moments but did not reach his full potential during the match.

**Siriki Dembele: 6**
Dembele showcased glimpses of his talent with some impressive touches through midfield, indicating his potential contribution in future matches.

**Scott Hogan: N/A**
Not used in the game.

Notable Performance Highlights:

– John Ruddy’s solid goalkeeping performance contributed to another clean sheet for Birmingham City.

– Koji Miyoshi made a significant impact after being brought on as a substitute, suggesting he could feature prominently in future matches.