Luke Turner gives his prediction for the forthcoming season…
Gary Rowett has guided Blues to a tenth place finish in the previous two seasons but where will his side finish in the forthcoming 2016/17 season?
The season kicks off in just over a week so it seems like a good time to make that prediction.
If you take a look at the squad at the time this article is being written then it’s clear that we`re short in a couple of areas. Bringing in a striker is imperative and a full back as well as another winger won`t do any harm.
Of course, our views on the season can all change if Rowett brings in some new additions and he knows what he needs to do for us to better those past season finishes.
But, with what we currently have to work with, I can only see us having the same problems. We all know that problem is scoring goals. It’s what scuppered our play-off hopes last season and, without the addition of a goalscorer, I can only see it happening again.
We’re a tough side to beat and with Ryan Shotton signing permanently, it will only add to our defensive solidity. But it’s in the forward areas where we may struggle.
Along with that, there is the return of Robert Tesche which gives Rowett another midfield option. He now has a nice problem as to what combination to play with Gleeson, Kieftenbeld, Davis, Brown and Adams all being other options available.
I can see there being a lot of reliance on the likes of Diego Fabbrini and David Cotterill to be the men to create for us so the fitness of the latter will be crucial.
Fabbrini will now be the first choice in that number 10 position now that Jon Toral has departed so he has the opportunity to make that spot his own and really shine for us.
Those behind Clayton Donaldson really need to pull their weight and chip in with their share of goals, taking that bit of pressure off our Jamaican forward.
We haven’t yet got that man who will guarantee goals so it’s important that we can rely on our midfielders. James Vaughan`s Blues career just hasn’t got going and the longer he waits for his first goal, the tougher he is going to find it.
I suppose one shining light we have is the pre-season form of Jack Storer. Two goals for the first team and five in total in friendlies has posed a real question to Rowett. Storer feels like he’s ready for the first team and his style of play will certainly cause problems for defences.
However, we can’t expect someone as young as him to come in and do the business week in week out. He is, though, a great option to have and we’ve seen what Marcus Rashford has done for Manchester United.
It is likely to be one of the toughest ever seasons in the Championship which is now more competitive than ever with the club’s coming down from the Premier League and investment from owners across the division.
If Blues manage to get that striker into the club then a play-off push could have potential but, as it stands, a mid-table finish seems most likely. Our way of playing means that we`ll be hard to beat but dominating teams and finishing them off will be an issue that will only be resolved with the signing of a proven goalscorer.
Prediction: 11th.