Whichever way you dress it up the players who have gone out on loan at Birmingham City are simply not good enough for the Championship. Good experience to go out on loan, yes, and it suits all parties but let’s not get delusional into thinking anything else.
Josh Dacres-Cogley and Charlie Lakin have had their chance but fell short, similarly, Beryly Lubala who went out on loan earlier in the month is another, although he has had little chance to shine. Steve Seddon and Jude Bellingham are different as they simply have ‘got it’, and we supporters see it and know it.
Excuses have been made that because of the Spanish influx, the above mentioned loaned players are finding it difficult to break through and that is correct. However, the reason for the influx is purely down to what I have mentioned – they are not good enough for this very tough, unrelenting Championship. Lakin and Dacres-Cogley are players who have had more than enough chances.
In our current situation, we have a number of skilled players in Dan Crowley and Fran Villalba who need to push on and deal with the rigours of this division, not only with their undoubted skill with the ball but with the physicality that is now a must. David Davis and Craig Gardner, not forgetting Maikel Keifenbeld when he returns, will play a vital role with these players. Bellingham similarly needs this type of ‘bodyguard’ protection.
At Blues, we do have an array of young talent and many have been with the club since they were young teenagers, but once the Championship stage is ready for them – only a minority survive. As of today, it appears Seddon and Bellingham lead the way with what the club thought at the end of last season would perhaps have had another three or four joining them.
Harsh realities of the Championship I am afraid.