The Zola era: One to forget

‘We want Zola out!` echoed around St. Andrew`s as Blues fell to a 2-0 defeat to relegation rivals Burton Albion.

An hour after the full-time whistle the news broke that Gianfranco Zola had resigned as Birmingham City manager.

Zola leaves Blues after a horrid run of just two wins from 24 games in all competitions with the club now sitting just three points above the relegation zone in 20th position.

That ‘bright and exciting future` that Zola was supposed to have led us to has ended in disaster. Some will say that he shouldn’t have been here in the first place and with his reign going so badly, he should’ve left earlier.

Too much was changed too soon. The football, on the odd occasion, was good but the results didn’t follow and we’ve also seen some absolute dire performances- including the last two that were both must wins.

We all know that football is a results-based business and, although some would regard Zola as being unlucky at Blues, he couldn’t find that winning formula.

Zola is a good guy. He had the decency to put himself in front of the media once he’d resigned and he was honest.

He had it tough from the start, there’s no doubt about that. Unfortunately for him though, as a manager, he`s far from good enough.

Blues have three games left to save this season from ending in total disaster. There’s no excuse for the players now, they’ve got to perform.

Although Zola has taken pretty much all of the stick, the players haven’t performed for him when it mattered most and they are the ones who have to get us out of this mess.

It’s time to move on quickly from the Zola reign. The last few weeks of the season are huge and whoever`s in charge needs our support more than ever.

Whoever the board do choose to lead us into these remaining three games will be thrown straight into it, with the small matter of the Second City derby next up in just six days time.

Appointing someone on an interim basis should be the next step. Our Championship status is what matters now, the talking and appointment of a full-time manager should wait till the summer.