Key Blow for Birmingham as Iwata Picks Up Suspension
Birmingham City have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their Championship fixture against Watford, with key player Tomoki Iwata now facing a one-match suspension. The Japanese international received his fifth yellow card of the season during the first half of the West Bromwich Albion match, triggering an automatic ban.
Match Incident and Immediate Consequences
The pivotal moment occurred midway through the first half at The Hawthorns when Iwata was cautioned for a foul on Callum Styles. This booking represents his fifth of the campaign, meaning he will be unavailable for selection when Watford visit on Monday evening. This development is particularly frustrating for manager Chris Davies, as Iwata has been performing impressively as a makeshift right-back in recent weeks, adapting remarkably well to the defensive role despite being a natural midfielder.
Potential Replacement and Additional Suspension Worries
Bright Osayi-Samuel emerges as the most likely candidate to fill the void left by Iwata's absence against Watford. Meanwhile, Birmingham face additional disciplinary concerns, with captain Christoph Klarer also receiving a yellow card during the West Brom encounter. The defender now sits just one booking away from suspension himself. Klarer must avoid cautions in both the Watford and Southampton matches to ensure he doesn't join Iwata on the sidelines, with the first yellow card amnesty of the season arriving after the 19th game.
