Tomoki Iwata

Iwata sits in front of Birmingham's back four and does work that rarely shows up in highlights, closing passing lanes and getting between the ball and goal before an attack properly forms. That reading of the game earned him his league's top individual honour in Japan, recognition that came before he followed his old manager to Celtic and then into England. His positioning lets teammates ahead take more risks, knowing the space behind them is covered.

The trade off with a midfielder this focused on protection is that he rarely produces the moments supporters remember, the goals or driving runs that get talked about after a match. Iwata's value is more easily measured by what does not happen, the counter attacks that never develop and the space that never opens in front of the back four. Whether Birmingham appreciate that contribution depends on how badly they miss him when absent.