August Priske reveals how Birmingham City discovered his long throw ability by accident

August Priske has disclosed that he became Birmingham City’s long throw specialist purely by chance.

Standing at 6ft 5in, the Danish striker has been the Blues' target man since joining from Swedish club Djurgården in January. He marked his growing influence with a headed goal in Birmingham’s 1-1 Championship draw against Southampton on Tuesday, his second in the league this season.

Interestingly, Priske’s role of delivering long throw-ins was not part of any master plan. Rather than being on the receiving end of lengthy throws, the No.9 has found himself tasked with launching them from the touchline.

Since Scott Fry’s arrival as set-piece coach in July, Birmingham City have dedicated considerable time to refining dead-ball scenarios during training sessions. Fry aims to enhance the team’s threat from set pieces, making the introduction of a long throw an effective addition to their attacking arsenal.

Priske admitted the skill came about almost by accident: “I just took one for fun and it ended up being long - now I’m stuck on them,” he joked.

The long throw strategy has already borne fruit. Against Wrexham last week, Birmingham scored from the second phase following one of Priske’s throws. In total, five of their seven goals this season-including Demarai Gray’s penalty against Bristol City-have originated from set-piece situations.

Priske’s headed goal against Southampton was one of two scored from open play in that match, securing a valuable point for the Blues. Reflecting on the strike, he said, “It’s been a decent start to the season but that first Championship goal is always the most important, I think.”

He added, “Those kinds of headers are always easy when the ball is as good as it is. For me, it’s not that difficult to score that one when the delivery is that good.”

In doubling his Birmingham City goal tally from last season, the 22-year-old took the achievement in good humour. “It wasn’t too difficult to double it, I would say. Hopefully, there’s a lot more to come,” he remarked.

As Priske continues to settle into his dual role as both target man and long throw specialist, his contributions appear integral to Birmingham City’s evolving style of play this season.