Former Birmingham City defender says he knows why Blues turned to Gary Rowett

Former Birmingham City defender Matthew Upson understands why the Blues have resorted to Gary Rowett to safeguard their Championship status before Tony Mowbray returns.

Mowbray is now on medical leave, but his return is expected to occur in the summer.

Rowett, who has guided Blues to three points in his first two games back in charge on an interim basis, has six more matches left, beginning with a trip to Leicester City on Saturday (3pm), and Blues must secure more points in the run-in to ensure survival, as they are only two points above the drop zone.

Upson, who joined the Blues from Arsenal in January 2003 as they attempted to stay up in their first season back in the Premier League, appeared 128 times for the club before joining West Ham in the winter of 2007, following the team’s relegation to the Championship.

He recognises what the seasoned Rowett brings to the table and the immediate influence he can have at a club he knows so well, and after picking up three critical points against Preston North End on Monday, Upson believes Rowett is the man to shepherd the team into safety.

“It was huge, wasn’t it?” Gary Rowett needed the points after the QPR game on Friday, which was disappointing against a relegation opponent,” Upson told Betway. “They needed to win the game. They did what was required of them under pressure. So credit to them. Hasn’t this been such a rough season? I mean, talk about a roller coaster and being destabilised as a result of the managerial changes following the flights at the start of the season!

“I believe it’s been a genuine mixed bag, but I can understand why Gary Rowett is returning to the club and getting a grasp on it: knowing the club, knowing how it works, knowing the supporters, and understanding what they need to get the outcome. So I believe that’s a major lift for them going forward.”