‘No doubt whatsoever’ – EFL analyst gives evaluation on Birmingham City’s survival possibilities

Pundit Guy Branston believes Gary Rowett will keep Birmingham City up this season.

Birmingham City are currently in a Championship relegation battle.

With seven games remaining, the Blues are in 21st place in the table, just outside the relegation zone by goal difference.

Branston, a former centre-back for Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City, wrote in the Football League Paper (31.03.24, page 39): “If you’re an interim manager of Gary Rowett’s magnitude, you’ll win games and pull Birmingham out of danger. Gary is a fantastic head coach, one of the best in the industry. His work pace is a joke.

“His teaching skills and tactical knowledge are excellent. I worked with him at Burton and thought he was fantastic back then. I worked with him at the PFA when he was getting his coaching badges.”

He added: “His attention to detail is absolutely on point and the players there will instantly respect him. He’s been there, done it and I’ve got no doubt whatsoever that the Blues will avoid relegation.”

Birmingham City backed to stay up

Birmingham are in danger, and their recent form has been quite concerning. They haven’t won in their last seven games and need to turn things around soon.

The Midlands club was defeated 2-1 away at QPR last time out and is back in action this afternoon at home against Preston. Their upcoming opponents still have a chance of making the playoffs.

Rowett is an experienced Football League coach who has taken over on an interim basis until the summer.

The 50-year-old began his managerial career at Burton Albion before being recruited by the Blues in 2014.

He was fired and replaced by Gianfranco Zola after just over two years as manager of St Andrew’s.

Rowett has since had spells at Derby County, Stoke City, and Millwall. He parted ways with the latter in October of last year and has since returned to the dugout.

As a manager, he has overseen nearly 500 games, the vast majority of which have taken place in the second division.

Branston feels Rowett has what it takes to keep Birmingham out of League One. They need to start winning quickly, starting this afternoon against Preston.

The Blues will then go to automatic promotion contenders Leicester City, with games remaining against Coventry City and Norwich City.