I’ve said on numerous occasions that managers need time to influence a team and that a team needs time to adapt to a new style of play. Gianfranco Zola has had that time and Blues are still not further down progression road than they were when he took Gary Rowett’s office chair back in December.
For a while, it seemed as if Zola’s mantra was rubbing off on the team. Slowly but surely, the players were taking the new ethos under their belts and were showing small signs of improvement. That improvement has stalled though and the team are heading in the wrong direction.
Ironically, the two games that Blues have won under Zola – Fulham and Wolves – have seen the team dig in and take a more basic, simplified approach that they were previously more accustomed to. That tells you all you need to know about what set-up suits them best.
I’ve heard strong whispers that a defeat at Cardiff City this afternoon will mark the end of the road for Zola. Some claim it was a cul-de-sac from the word go and maybe they were right. But I’ve heard that Zola doesn’t have too many defeats left in his reign as manager and the board are less than impressed.
Saying that, I’m not the sort of supporter who wishes defeat on his side because it will mean the manager scarpering. Today’s game represents a massive opportunity to earn a precious three points towards survival. Yes, that’s how far Blues have declined since shortly before Santa Claus was emptying his sack in households across the world.
As always, Keep Right On!
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