Now is a Time for Realism

Birmingham City has been an atrociously-run club in recent years and, although the club have come through the very worst, there is still a very long way to go. Money problems still hang around St. Andrew`s as administrators Ernst and Young attempt to stabilise the club.

I read with interest the comments of former manager, and arguably the best ever Birmingham City player, Trevor Francis. Francis commented that if Gary Rowett`s Blues avoid the drop ‘without too many worries` then it`s a job well done. I totally agree.

While Rowett`s impressive performance as manager has raised expectation around B9, Blues fans should remain realistic.

Francis wasn`t being a pessimist in his comments, he was merely making an observation – he is a realist.

Birmingham City still cannot compete with more than half of the teams in the division when it comes to transfer fees and wages so to expect the play-offs is unrealistic. Hope for it, yes, but do not expect it.

A mid-table finish would represent a fantastic season. Couple that with a takeover, and we`re in dream land.

Rowett is a very decent manager but is no miracle worker. While I do not expect Blues to be relegated, or even toying with the prospect of it, safe mid-table obscurity would do me very nicely.

Like Super Trev, I am not a pessimist; I am just realistic in my expectations. I`d love nothing more than to come back to you in May with an article to the exact contrary of this one.

But I wouldn`t deem it a failure of a season if Blues were to finish, say, twelfth.

@TheWildeyShow