The media have their guns out for Gianfranco Zola

Journalists have all been having a bite of Gianfranco Zola pie. It seems all and sundry want to have a pop at Blues` new manager. Ironically, the lack of column inches dedicated to the marvellous job done by Gary Rowett prior to his sacking are now deemed irrelevant.

As is typical of the media, negative press always triumphs. There was no two page spread singing the praises of Rowett a month ago so why are they all hopping on the bandwagon now? Any other time, they couldn`t give a damn about Birmingham City FC but now every man and his dog feels entitled to an opinion.

Nick Miller of The Guardian said- “Zola spoke a lot about his side sitting too deep in the closing stages, yet he did not do a great deal about it”.

I ask Nick if he actually knows a jot about this football club and their style of play over the past two years. Blues often surrender the ball and invite the pressure. It worked for Rowett, maybe it won`t for other managers. This season, Blues have enjoyed more possession than their opponents on two occasions – one being Oxford United in the EFL cup first round defeat. If Nick could explain how to coach a defensive mentality out of the players in just a solitary training session, I`m all ears. Indeed, if Nick can explain his master plan of stopping Brighton, send me a line.

Zola`s appointment could turn out to be a masterstroke or a disaster. But to look too much into his first game in charge after only being at the club for two days is foolish. The Brighton game will not tell us anything.