Luke Turner takes a look at his top 5 Rowett moments on his 2 year anniversary as manager…
It’s been two years to the day since Gary Rowett took charge of Blues and what a job he’s done.
Let’s take a look at his top five memorable moments as manager of Birmingham City to date:
1) BLUES 2-1 WATFORD (November 2014)
What a night this was. Gary Rowett`s first home game in charge of the club and St Andrews was rocking. Blues got off to a flyer with Clayton Donaldson scoring after just two minutes which helped settle the team. And, even though Watford levelled, Blues showed the mental strength and character to keep going as they won the game late on through Donaldson.
St Andrews erupted as ‘Keep Right On` echoed around the ground and Rowett got off to the perfect start at home to build on the point the side gained at Wolves in his first match. Let’s not forget, Watford were top of the league at this stage and our last home match was that humiliating 8-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
2) BLUES 2-1 WOLVES (April 2015)
A derby day victory at St Andrews which dented Wolves` play off hopes! Wasn’t too bad, was it? At this stage of the season the Rowett Revolution had slowed down a bit with just three wins from the last 15 games. However, this win set us on our way to a strong finish to the season and ended Wolves` run of four straight victories.
Blues also had to come from behind as Rob Kiernan`s first half goal was added to by a sensation solo run and finish by Demarai Gray in the second half to secure all three points for Rowett`s men.
3) DERBY 0-3 BLUES (January 2016)
The perfect away performance, Gary Rowett style if you like. Tough to break down, organised and first to every second ball. The performance got the goals it deserved in the second half with Robinson and Gleeson scoring before Maikel Kieftenbeld hit a rocket of a volley to make it three.
It was Derby`s heaviest defeat of the season as they lost ground on the automatic promotion places and Blues had the play-off places in their sights.
4) BLUES 6-1 READING (December 2014)
A blistering first half performance from Demarai Gray saw the youngster scored his first senior hat-trick as Blues demolished Reading.
The game was pretty much over in the first 45 as Blues led 4-1. Second half goals from Andy Shinnie and David Cotterill rubbed salt into the wounds for the visitors. Rowett`s positive start at the club continued with this win as Blues moved seven points clear of the bottom three and Blues fans began to remember what it was like to win games at home.
5) FULHAM 2-5 BLUES (November 2015)
Another thumping victory for Rowett`s men. An excellent day out in the capital for Blues fans was made extra special with three points and five goals for the team. Once again, a dominant first half performance pretty much sealed the game for us as we headed into the break 3-0 up.
Goals from Gleeson, Caddis, Toral, Donaldson and then a fine solo effort from Viv Solomon-Otabor in added time put the icing on the cake for Blues.
Of course, there have been some other top moments throughout Rowett`s time so far at Blues and it’s very difficult to narrow it down to just five.
The 0-0 at Wolves set Rowett on his way, the 2-2 at Derby provided us with late drama, the 3-0 home win versus Ipswich, and the 1-0 win against Hull was a typical Rowett display.
Blues fans, what has been your favourite moment since Rowett took charge of the club? Have I missed any out or do you agree with those selected? Comment below!