Opinion: Appointing favourite Karanka would be a smart move

We’ve all had a few days to reflect on Harry Redknapp’s sacking and I have to say, Blues haven’t made this easy for themselves at all.

I know it’s been said by numerous people but our next appointment HAS to be the right one.

We’ve got to find that blend between getting the team playing together as a unit, whilst exploiting the technical quality we now have in this squad.

The current favourite to take the hot seat is former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka.

You’ve then got the more obvious choices in Lee Carsley and Steve Cotterill with Nigel Adkins, David Moyes and Steve McClaren all in the mix.

From the names being mentioned, the only one that stands out for me would be Karanka and I do like the idea of him taking over.

He’s the sort of guy that I feel can find that blend I spoke about earlier.

He’ll get the team organised and, while not playing out of this world football, the system used will allow the attacking flair players to go and show what they can do.

His Boro side conceded the least amount of goals (31) in the Championship as they gained automatic promotion to the Premier League in the 2015/16 season.

To be fair, they also scored 63 goals themselves – only bettered by six other teams.

Their goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopolous also kept the most clean sheets (22) that season, so Karanka definitely has the ingredients to get Blues solid once again.

Time and time again we just seem to be conceding silly goals that are preventable – the defending at times has been schoolboy.

And, if fans are worried about Karanka’s style of football not particularly being as nice on the eye, I would think twice.

This is a team that has quality going forward, I haven’t seen a more exciting front line at St. Andrew’s than this one in years.

I’d have faith that the Spaniard can get us playing reasonably attractive football whilst at the same time, sticking to basics and not over complicating things.

This new squad needs to gradually get going and the best way to do this in my opinion is to get someone of Karanka’s style and ilk to implement his methods.

He’s just one choice though and there are plenty of other names in the frame.

For now, let’s concentrate on getting behind the players and Carsley with a game against Gary Rowett’s Derby County coming up on Saturday.