The steam has well and truly disappeared. During last night`s defeat to Brighton, Blues looked like a team that are well and truly running on empty. There`s no shame in that, of course. This squad has given their all for eight grueling months.
The basic aspects of football which Blues were getting so right earlier in the campaign have recently eluded them. The energy in which Gary Rowett`s team produced week in week out has evaporated. With the sale of Demarai Gray, Blues lost their main source of pace which was a lethal weapon on the counter attack. All of this explains why the season will now fizzle out.
If we`re being totally honest, the play offs was just a pipe dream. Looking at the teams above Blues in the Championship table, you see squads built over a number of seasons with decent money behind it. Rowett has built this Blues squad over a season and a half and until the capture of Diego Fabbrini in January, no real spending power was in place.
Brighton came to St. Andrew`s and bossed the game. Going a goal behind didn`t hinder their vision and their quality shone through. Blues do not have that sort of quality in the ranks but given time, it will be steadily introduced.
Rowett deserves a pat on the back for a season in which Blues have not been outside the top ten, progress in itself. But next season, the club must push on again. With the summer ahead, Rowett can plan for another season in the second tier. But next season, we must hear of no ‘punching above their weight` comments and have a real good go. Assuming, of course, Blues can hold on to their manager.
Twitter @robwildey123
Share this article
Related Articles
