Perspective

Just 730 days (two years) ago, Birmingham City football club was fighting for its Championship life. Relegation to League One – English footballs third tier – beckoned.

On the pitch, a young and honest squad of players were led by their young and honest manager. Evidently, both were out of their depth. Off the pitch, the ownership wrangle and boardroom politics droned on and on with no end in sight and no proverbial pot to pee in.

But for a 93rd minute equaliser at Bolton Wanderers, Blues were set to regularly rub shoulders with the likes of Crawley Town and Crewe Alexandra. Football is a game of fine margins and had Paul Caddis` header flew over the crossbar, Blues` fate would have been sealed.

Last season, I truly believed that Blues would not have survived without the arrival of Gary Rowett and his backroom team. Up until late October, Blues had been in dire straits once more which led to Lee Clark`s sacking. Then, a week later, an 8-0 drubbing at home was a new low for the club.

It`s strange how things pan out. Rowett took over the poisoned chalice and set about remoulding Blues. Michael Morrison was bought in and marked his debut (and Rowett`s first game in charge) with a clean sheet in a goalless draw at Wolves. The rest is history.

See, no matter how this season ends, no one can deny that Birmingham City are heading back in the right direction.

On the pitch, a team of committed players, who display quality from time to time, continue to work their socks off for the cause. Off the pitch, the situation is much brighter too. With Rowett at the helm, assuming Blues can fight off predators in the summer, the club will carry on this steady transformation. The squad will gradually improve with every transfer window and Blues can begin to compete with the Championship`s bigger boys.

Rowett sees this job as a project so let`s hope the club continue to support him. Inevitably, other clubs will be sniffing round wanting a manager with a good track record and Rowett certainly has that.

Although this end of season wobble is frustrating, let`s remember where we were (or almost were) before he rocked up on horseback waving his magic wand.

Twitter @robwildey123