Ryan Woods reveals the extra yard he put in to hit the ground running at Birmingham City | OneFootball

Birmingham City were busy in the summer, adding eight new players to their squad as Lee Bowyer looks to put a squad together capable of competing at the top end of the Championship.

One of those new signings has spoken of the extra fitness training that helped him ‘find a home’.

Ryan Woods arrived on a free transfer following his release from Stoke City in the summer, and has impressed players, supporters, and most importantly, his manager.

Woods spent time on the fringes at Stoke City, which included loan spells out at Millwall, and has been desperate to recover his form.

In order to start life at Birmingham City quickly, Woods told BirminghamLive about extra fitness sessions he did throughout the summer: “Getting there was very tough, pre-season we would do a session. The lads would come in and they would do a core session in the dome or the gym.

“I would be out there doing extra running, extra sessions and I would come in, do the core session they’ve done and also go to the gym. But I feel like it is paying off now on the pitch and I definitely feel a lot better for it.”

There’s no doubt that Woods’ best form came at Brentford, and he was determined to get settled again so he can get back to play his best: “I said to the gaffer when I came ‘I really want to find a home again’. And I feel like I have done that in a short space of time here.

“I never want to get ahead of myself, I know how quickly it can turn, football can be a horrible game at times but it’s also the best in the world at times as well.

“It’s early doors but it’s been good so far.”

The Verdict

Birmingham City have started the 21/22 season incredibly well. The Blues find themselves in 10th and Ryan Woods has been key to that.

Having played all seven games so far, Woods, partnered with Sunjic, has added some steel into the midfield, allowing the likes of Chong, Bela, Colin, and co to get forward and attack.

That solid foundation has meant that Bowyer’s side concede fewer chances while being much more threatening going forward compared to previous seasons.

If Woods regains the form he had at Brentford, there’s no doubt he could be one of the division’s best players this season.

24 questions about some of Birmingham City’s best ever strikers – Can you get 100% correct?

1 of 24

Trevor Francis left Birmingham City to join which side?

Derby County

Arsenal

Manchester United

Nottingham Forest