And... We're back!

Gary Rowett looks on at his side

Apologies for the absence, I have been busy with university applications, college work and all sorts of things but I’m back!

So first of all I thought that after a long break I would review what’s happened this season so far. However, after thinking on it, I realised I had done the Clark stuff to death and instead ill give a brief summary and review of the Rowett era so far. Football is a funny old game and this season really has proved that to the ST. Andrews faithful. Overall, this new beginning has been fantastic although not without its shaky moments. 

Taking charge against top of the table Wolves, I was shocked by the change in the team. The game wasn’t without its concerns, far from it, however Rowett managed to completely sure up the back four who had conceded an embarrassing eight goals the previous week. I said at the game the tactics were far more improved however I was reluctant to give in to Rowett’s persuading charm in case this was just a new manager giving the team a lift. I’m sure not even the most optimistic fan expected us to keep a clean sheet against top of the league at Molineux and then three days later face top of the league Watford and dominate the game, winning from a superb Cotterill cross which met the head of a towering Clayton Donaldson. 

With impressive performances against Cardiff, Rotherham and Forest, Blues were able to extend their unbeaten run to five games with a 0-0 against Cardiff and winning the other two games. Beating forest meant that we had won two home games in the space of a month, a feat that Lee Clark couldn’t manage in a whole calendar year. So when the fixture list showed we’d be playing Lee Clark’s Blackpool next, surely we would be certain of a win? Wrong. As a Bluenose, even with the massive lift Rowett had given to both the players and the fans, something didn’t feel right. Too many times have I seen former players come back to bite Blues and I felt exactly the same about former manager Lee Clark. The Blues stayed true to my pessimism and due to a slip from Paul Robinson, Davies was able to capitalise and give the tangerines and Lee Clark a 1-0 victory. 

Young star Gray finds his shooting boots

Strangely, my usual pessimism had disappeared and I felt as though it would all be different next week. It was hard to swallow a defeat to bottom of the league Blackpool but we had to lose at some point and I honestly expected us to slip up against a weak side like Blackpool. Although I had a newfound positivity, I certainly did not expect to see Birmingham slot six past Reading. A first half hat-rick from Demarai Gray and a well-practiced free kick routine that Caddis fired home saw the blues 4-1 up at half time. If I had one criticism of Gray before this game it would have been that his end product was lacking. With three very tidy finishes, Gray completely disregarded my thoughts with a great showing of composure and ability in front of goal. If Gray can consistently show that kind of finishing, the eighteen year old may have an incredible career before him. But what a time to do it Demarai, with only a few weeks before the January transfer window opened, Gray has rightly earned himself a lot of attention from Premier League sides and a two million pound offer has already been rejected for the teenage winger to join Bournemouth. Holding on to Gray until the end of the season could be vital to ensure we continue to progress the way we are and also to ensure we get the right amount of money for him. I feel it’s also important for the player’s development too. Rowett has put a lot of faith in him and seems to be progressing massively under Rowett’s guidance. This is no disrespect to Jack Butland who is a great keeper but moving to a premier league side too early often slows down a career and Butland is an example of that happening directly from Birmingham City. Nathan Redmond has impressed in parts but has also found himself back in the Championship after a short time away in the Prem. I think Demarai is massive for the club moving forward but also the club could play a massive role in the player moving forward. 

Jordan Ibe and Will Hughes celebrate together

One moment of magic from a David Cotterill free kick against Huddersfield is the only reason I have to mention the game itself. Slow paced, dull performance from both sides saw a 1-0 away win for the boys in blue. On paper, a 4-0 defeat to Derby looks a little embarrassing but watching the game it certainly didn’t feel that way. The Rams came to St. Andrews and played outstanding football. Its difficult to know how good a performance Bournemouth put in as they were facing a weak, poorly organised team under the management of a care taker but for me, Derby were superior. The free flowing, attacking football was a joy to watch, especially outstanding performances from the likes of Will Hughes, Chris Martin and Jordan Ibe. In all honesty, Derby were simply a far better team than us.  Perhaps we could have stopped a goal going in or got one back ourselves but they were simply just too good. This defeat certainly didn’t have me in a negative state of mind and I felt confident ahead of our second meeting with Forest this season. 

After the 4-0 defeat the blues managed to keep a four game undefeated run, which they’re still holding onto, even If one was a narrow victory to non-league Blythe Spartans. I can’t believe how nice it is to be a blues fan right now. Even with all the back room confusion still going on, with no one really 100% sure who exactly runs the club and how little money we have left, watching the team has gone from a chore to a joyful pastime. We’ve even made the addition of Lloyd Dyer on loan, a man who played a massive role in getting Leicester to the premier league but turned down a new contract in the summer. He then joined Watford but hasn’t enjoyed as much success. When the Foxes came to St. Andrews last season, Dyer showed true class and was one of Leicester’s best players on the night. With his blistering pace and strong left foot, Dyer gives the Blues some much needed diversity. Dyer will be Blues’ only left footed winger and will mean Gray has chance to be rested and rotated instead of burning him out before the last few months of the season.

Thank you Gary Rowett for all that you have done and all that you are going to do for the rest of your time at Blues. We are not worthy.