Setting the standards high.
That appeared to be the message that Harlee Dean was sending out when speaking about Blues boss Aitor Karanka. Following the loss to Cambridge United in the League Cup (which I argued could provide a long-term benefit), the club have really hit the ground running since his arrival, going unbeaten in the league, only conceding one goal in the first three games and generally looking a lot more solid than we have in previous seasons.
Speaking to Birmingham Live, skipper Dean talked about the breath of fresh air that Karanka has provided the club and just what it’s like having to work under him, and how the Spaniard’s arrivals has pushed the club in terms of what the ambitions are:
“I think the gaffer is ruthless like that and that’s exactly what is needed. You need that competition, you need to work in training everyday like it’s a game because if you don’t, when you get to the game you won’t perform.
Other than the Garry Monk year, which is probably the best year we’ve had since I’ve been here…you wanted to go and build on that and it didn’t happen….and now we’ve got another manager of the same stature if not more.”
I think he’s saying exactly what needs to be said here, and if Karanka really is having this kind of impact behind the scenes then hopefully we can start seeing some serious moves up the table as a result.
Admittedly it hasn’t all been perfect so far, I think we can all agree that our return in front of goal could do with a bit of a boost, but at least if Karaka holds the forwards as accountable as the holds the defenders and they improve at the same rate, then I’m sure things will turn around eventually.
What about you? What do you make of Dean’s comments?