Friday nights draw with Derby County was the eleventh successive home game in which Blues have avoided defeat. A complete reversal of the fortunes on home soil under Gary Rowett’s predecessor, Lee Clark.
The Blues fans actually look forward to home fixtures once again and if you had said a year ago that I’d be writing this, I’d pay for you to see a private psychiatrist. It really has been a tremendous turn-around regardless of where Blues finish in the Championship this term.
Too often in recent seasons, B9 has been an easy place to come and get three points. Visiting teams used to look forward to a trip to the second city with the expectancy of an easy win. Not anymore.
The likes of Barnsley and Yeovil Town turned Birmingham City over in their own backyard and Fulham and Bolton both won at St. Andrews whilst bottom of the table. It really was a sad state of affairs.
And to think of all the sympathy I had at the time for Clark… ‘he’s got a hard job’, I said. ‘Not many managers would do any better’, I screamed. How hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Where Rowett and Clark differ the most is in their approach. Rowett simplifies the game and his team, Clark over complicated things.
On many an occasion, Clark’s Blues were leading at home only to surrender quicker than the Italians in the war. They’d roll over faster than a dog on a belly-rub promise. But now, win, lose or draw, fans are coming away satisfied with their team.
Fortress St. Andrews, you could call it.
And Rowett hasn’t done anything miraculous. He’s simply picked players in their natural positions, made their roles clear and laid out what is expected. The players have conducted themselves with pride and passion. Football is a simple game. Even simpler it is for managers who can handle men. Rowett certainly can.
Home is where the heart is. Finally…
Twitter @TheWildeyShow
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