Gianfranco Zola: it never rains but it pours

Gianfranco Zola thanked the Birmingham City fans for sticking by his team despite ten games without a win. And while it was a nice touch by the Italian, his comments seem to be more of an appeal for time than a genuine assessment of the support.

It appears that the cracks of pressure are starting to show. After being goaded by Reading fans with chants of ‘you`re getting sacked in the morning`, Zola used his post-match interview to accuse the travelling supporters of ‘lacking class`. Chants of the sort are part and parcel of the game and, boot on the other foot, Blues fans would have acted in exactly the same way.

During the same interview, Zola also berated the weather and claimed it made life difficult for his team – as if the weather only affects one side.

Undoubtedly, Blues` style of play has vastly improved since he took charge yet the league table doesn`t suggest so. The football, although easy on the eye, has been completely ineffective. Zola is feeling the pressure – which is understandable after such a torrid start to his reign. The owners have backed him with significant investment so are unlikely to wield the axe just yet, but how long has Zola got? If Blues fail to win in their next three matches, will his head be on the block?

Zola was one of four candidates considered for the St. Andrews hot seat vacated by Gary Rowett. All four candidates supposedly carry the footballing philosophy the owners wanted to embed at the heart of the clubs culture. Zola was hired; he was seen as the best man for the job. But, contrary to what else may have been written, Zola was not the only man in the frame. His appointment was meant to be a new dawn, a fresh approach for the club.

Blues` winless streak currently sits at ten. Would another three, four or five games without a win warrant the sack? Will the board cut their losses and get rid? Or will they back their man through the rocky roads? Will results pick up?

Praising the fans is all well and good but at the end of the day, three points is all that matters in the eyes of those paying their hard earned money to follow the club they love. And how long will that blind faith last before the negative social media comments become full on cat calls?

In the end, results will be the only thing to get you through, Franco.