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Time to take the next step

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Image for Time to take the next step

Birmingham City aren’t the first and certainly won’t be the last team to be outclassed by Newcastle United this season.

The 4-0 drubbing at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon is an accurate indicator of just how far Blues are away from being a genuine Championship force.

While the minority have suggested that Gary Rowett has took the team as far as he can (an accusation that gets bandied around after every single defeat) the majority realise that success in football is largely dictated by finances and investment, something Blues need a lot more of if they’re to stay in touch with the elite of the second tier.

In fairness, the new owners haven’t yet entered a transfer window since completing their takeover of the club so their resolve is an unknown quantity. A football manager can only take a team so far when their financial parameters are so much smaller than the teams they’re competing with.

Take one look at Saturdays team sheet and the contrast couldn’t be more stark. Jonjo Shelvey, a recent England international, is a class above most other midfielders in the division and Dwight Gayle is about as deadly as Championship strikers come. That’s naming only two players from unarguably the best squad in the league. Add to that the vast experience of their manager, Rafael Benitez, who has European cups, league titles and other honours weighing down his personal trophy cabinet, the Gerodies seem set for an immediate return to the big time.

Onlookers will point to the fact that Rowett has spent significantly more money than his predecessor, Lee Clark, which would be very true. But he’s also taken Blues up a level only to now reach an impasse.

How many Blues players would get a place on the Newcastle bench, never mind the first eleven? Take Newcastle out of the equation, how many of Blues’ players would get a game for Brighton, Norwich, even Derby?

Rowett has been a victim of his own success. By improving the fortunes of Birmingham City on the pitch, expectations have risen on the terraces. With every defeat comes a fresh wave of criticism.

We’re approaching what could be a pivotal January for Blues and Rowett. To get to the next level, investment is needed. If Blues are to be taken seriously, new faces are needed. Failing that, we may as well just roll over and accept mid-table mediocrity. And probably lose our manager in the process.



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