The Season Ahead…

The forthcoming season already differs from its predecessors. On the eve of a new campaign, Blues` expectations are usually set-out in stone with a high percentage of supporter`s unison in agreement. This time, however, the picture is much less clear.

With the Rowett revolution leading Blues to a 10th place finish last term, the optimist half of the faithful anticipates a push for the play-offs. But with the clubs purse strings still very tight, the pessimist (or realists – you decide) will be more than happy to indulge in mid-table mediocrity. Or safety as it can also be labelled.

With the Lee Clark days firmly in the past, Rowett embarks on his first full season at the helm. The Bromsgrove-born gaffer will be the first to admit that his transfer dealings have been far from easy but with a limited budget, Rowett has done his best.

The Blues fans seem to be divided on the squad front, too. Some say the club have a decent enough squad to be challenging for a top-six spot whereas others disagree.

Tenth out of 24 was a fair representation of Blues` squad, in my humble opinion. The likes of Stephen Gleeson, David Davis, Jonathan Grounds and Paul Caddis can be described as ‘decent` players for a Championship club. But long gone are the days of Birmingham City flexing their financial muscles and being a guaranteed force in England`s second tier.

In previous year`s, the club have been able to attract Premier League experience in their quest to return to the Promised Land. A club would make a bid for a player, Blues would offer more. The tables have long since turned.

A prime example of the position Blues find themselves in can be demonstrated using the Diego Fabbrini situation. The Italian was a much sought-after target of Rowett`s after a successful, albeit brief, loan spell last season. But the club simply could not stump up the £1m fee requested by Watford. As a result, the player heads to the North East as Middlesbrough ‘s new signing.

Instead, Rowett was left searching for a replacement. Jon Toral was drafted in on loan from Arsenal and brings a hatful of promise with him. But with Toral so highly rated at the Emirates, Blues have literally no chance of capturing him on a permanent basis.

Along with the new signings, Rowett has earned stability through key members of the existing squad signing new contract extensions. Demarai Gray and Clayton Donaldson putting pen-to-paper was as good, if not better, than any new signing and others soon followed suit.

It is becoming clear how the team will be set-up next term with the favoured counter attacking style of play being adopted. Rowett isn`t ashamed to admit that some of the poor pre-season results have been due to the lower league opposition tending to sit back and let Blues take the game to them, something this team is not set-up to do.

Championship football will suit Blues better, especially against team`s who like to attack and express themselves – leaving Rowett`s men to suck them in and pick them off. Football isn`t all about attack attack attack and Rowett`s preferred style, though opposite to gung-ho, is effective.

Whereas Clark imagined Blues were playing ‘front foot football` despite the St. Andrew`s crowd witnessing otherwise, Rowett has Blues playing a style that suits their strengths.

When Tony Pulis was the manager of Stoke City, his side played ‘long ball` football but they survived during their early Premier League years with aplomb. And playing to the team`s strengths cannot be underestimated. Would West Ham fans opt for relegation or another season of Sam Allardyce`s so-called ‘boring` football?

Please don`t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that Blues are boring under Rowett. I am just making the point that playing to the team`s best capabilities is far better than trying to turn the team into something they`re not.

So what does the season hold for Blues?

My heart obviously says that a push for the top two is on the horizon, my head tells me to stop being so stupid and get with the programme – a similar placed finish to last season will suffice.

The key for Blues is to ensure Donaldson continues his goal scoring and Gray and David Cotterill supply him with the ammunition. On top of that, the wingers, including new boy Jacques Maghoma, will need to chip in with goals too.

The ‘hole` is pivotal and whoever plays the ‘number 10` role, be it Andy Shinnie or Jon Toral, will need to stand up and be counted.
But the most important thing if Blues are to have even an outside chance of a play-off place is the art of defending. Defending is a skill and something that is lost in the modern game. To put an end to the silly and avoidable goals conceded so often last term, will be no less important than scoring them.

Rowett has a few days to fine tune his squad in preparation for the opening game against Reading. Win, lose or draw, the first game rarely indicates where a team will be in May. The 46 game haul is upon us and I, along with many other Bluenoses, will embrace it.

So, my minimum expectations come next summer are – Blues to finish above mid-table, Gary Rowett signs a contract extension and the takeover saga is over with a new owner in tow!

Enjoy the season and Keep Right On!

Twitter @TheWildeyShow