As patience wanes at Birmingham City, Marc Roberts fulfilled two wishes for Wayne Rooney

Patience is really wearing thin

For the most part, apathy has now subsided, and rage is starting to surface. While there was some hope after the performance against Blackburn Rovers, the previous two games for Blues have been anything but.

The disappointing draw against Rotherham, which the Blues ought to have lost, and the 2-0 thumping in Coventry brought back memories of those difficult games against Middlesbrough and Hull City early in Rooney’s career. The situation hasn’t really improved.

To be honest, Rooney’s injuries haven’t helped his cause.However, the Blues haven’t really touched their previous two opponents.

After the final whistle, the 4,000 away fans didn’t exactly destroy Rooney. When he went over to cheer on individuals who had driven down the M6 when they could have watched it on TV, he was met with dissatisfaction and frustration.

For some time now, he has been the target of criticism on social media, and this doesn’t appear to be changing. Rooney is the one who knows better than anybody that these outcomes cannot last, but he will have all the support and encouragement he needs from those who appointed him.

Marc Roberts did the job

It’s perhaps bad for Marc Roberts that his season’s first start came on Friday night.Given how poorly Emanuel Aiwu has been performing lately, Roberts could have easily taken his job.

Finally, Blues captain Dion Sanderson had a rare foot injury, which gave Roberts the opportunity to play, and he did well. He was superior to Aiwu and gave Rooney what he desired most from his center-backs: aerial dominance and communication.

Throughout, Roberts’ voice could be heard the loudest in the rear. Roberts was heard yelling at Aiwu, who was sitting next to him, to “get up, get up, get the f*** up” at one point in the first half.

Roberts and Aiwu benefited from Blues’ lack of an out-of-the-back game, and the more seasoned center-back displayed the physicality that the team has been lacking since Kevin Long left.

Donovan a bright spot

One rare bright spot from the Blues’ loss to Coventry was Romelle Donovan. In the latter moments of the game, the 17-year-old set up Oliver Burke for the Blues’ best opportunity of the night. It was his third senior appearance.

“I felt Romelle Donovan did really well when he came onto the pitch,” Rooney remarked. A few instances were seen from a single point of view.

Because of the Blues’ difficulties, Rooney has been hesitant to use Donovan too frequently. He doesn’t want the young person to become entangled in the negativity brought about by this miserable run of form.

But now there’s evidence to suggest Donovan might be worth giving it a shot. Recently, Koji Miyoshi has struggled on the right, and Donovan might provide the Blues with a wildcard alternative.

Cardiff is now a crucial match