Opinion: Forward Thinking at Blues

This season could prove to be a key one in Gary Rowett`s managerial career. One that goes some way to deciding whether he will become a decent Championship manager, or live up to his name as one of the most exciting young coaches in England.

Until now, it had been non-stop success. On limited resources, he built a Burton Albion squad that would go on to reach the Championship.

He then had a transformative effect on Blues in the first 15 months of his St Andrews tenure, instilling similar principles of organisation and discipline. Form in the latter stages of last season, however – three wins after January – leaves much to be desired.

Three months of bad form should not change an entire opinion on Rowett, but it does give him a different type of challenge. It`s the first time that he has seen disgruntlement filter into sections of support, or that his methods – his ‘Plan B’ – has been questioned.

Vital Birmingham would argue that his methods are not incorrect. Leicester City won the Premier League with roughly the same tactics that Rowett employs.

Leicester, however, have a striker in Jamie Vardy with raw pace. Birmingham have Clayton Donaldson, who may be capable of holding the ball up, but he does have a tendency to tire in the latter stages of games.

As a result, the team lacked pace in attack. Blues were well-organised, but the absence of a counter-attacking outlet meant opposing teams would be able to sustain the intensity of their attacks. The midfield would drop deeper and deeper and eventually, the defence would often cave in due to the shortage of resting time.

One of the things Demarai Gray did well was carry the ball up the pitch, getting us into a better position whilst relieving some pressure on the defence.

Gray`s end product might not have been great, but his ability to run with the ball got the team further up the pitch, which helped in both an attacking and defensive sense.

I have it on good authority that the club is actively looking for a striker and somebody with raw pace, and the required work rate to push defences back, would be ideal. Signing a quick striker would solve more problems than one.

Blues fans, how important is it for the club to sign a new striker in order for us to progress on our 10th placed finish last season? Let us know in the comment section down below!