‘Too much change’: Birmingham City fans express angers on challenging season, with Championship relegation looming

Birmingham City supporters examine what has gone wrong for the club this season, with relegation a serious possibility this weekend.

A season that began with such hope among Birmingham City fans could end in misery on Saturday (May 4).

Blues are 22nd in the Championship and in the final relegation spot as Gary Rowett’s team prepares for their 46th and final league game of the 2023/24 season. City sit one point behind Plymouth entering the last day, with their fate out of their hands.

Plymouth face play-off-chasing Hull City on Saturday, knowing that a win will keep them up and send the Blues down, while Birmingham host Norwich City on Saturday. Norwich are fifth and have all but guaranteed a play-off spot thanks to their better goal difference over Hull, who are two places below the Canaries.

Hull must win and hope that West Brom lose at home to Preston-North End to make the play-offs, but the fact that they have a chance to sneak into the top six and make the play-offs on the final day of the season will undoubtedly give Liam Rosenior’s side strong motivation to beat Plymouth, which would, of course, benefit the Blues.

Norwich will also want to finish the season strongly and finish in fifth position, but the Blues’ Championship status is far from decided and remains firmly in the balance as we approach the last day.

This season has been extremely challenging for the club at St Andrew’s, and playing in the third tier of English football next season could become a reality as of Saturday evening.

Despite being taken over by Americans Knighthead Capital in the summer, a move that is definitely excellent for the club’s future with ambitious plans for a new stadium, acrimonious boardroom decisions have wrecked the team’s season.

Replacing John Eustace with Wayne Rooney in the early months of the season, when Blues were in sixth position, was one of them. The former England captain was fired after only 13 weeks in command at St Andrew’s. Blues chairman Tom Wagner then selected the seasoned Tony Mowbray, who had to quit aside after only eight games to receive medical treatment for an illness.

Gary Rowett took over as caretaker manager, but the team has struggled since Eustace’s departure.

But what do supporters think? We asked Birmingham City supporters on social media why they believe the club has battled so badly this season and what needs to change in the future.

‘Trying to run before they can walk’

Blues fan Jack Mason commented, “Poor recruiting from Eustace to start the season. He did well and was bolstered by a couple of victories before leaving.”

He added: “I believe Rowett would have kept us up handily if he had come in within a game or two of Mowbray’s retirement. If we go down, I hope Mowbray is fit and well; I’m confident he’ll get us back up. If he isn’t, we might have to remain with Rowett, even though his negativity is alarming.

Mickey wrote, “No centre forward to partner Stansfield.” Shofiull Abdin commented, “Bad recruitment.”

Richard Williams added, “Five managers this season. However, Mowbray’s illness was not the board’s fault. Sacking Eustace for Rooney was a surprising move. What needs to change is stability and sound decision-making.

Len commented, “The players need to put in a shift. I don’t like losing, but if they give it their all, I can’t complain. It’s when people just show up, knowing they’ll be paid regardless of the outcome.”

Jae Whateley remarked, “Only adding one striker on loan hasn’t helped us. John Eustace had to leave, but appointing Rooney was a mistake; hindsight is 20/20, however. All of this, along with Mowbray’s illness and other serious injuries, indicates that we’ve made some poor decisions and had much worse luck.”

Gez Hehir stated, “Too much change is dangerous in any environment. The Rooney decision is apparent, but I seem to disagree with the majority of Blues supporters I speak to.

“The board made the (wrong) decision (in my opinion) to bring him in, but then didn’t even give him a transfer window to accomplish anything. I agree that the results and certain performances were awful, but there were occasions when I truly believed we were unlucky and played exceptionally well (Ipswich being a standout).

Ian Satchell stated: “Under-investment in the playing staff over the last decade, along with a lack of desire from previous owners, has resulted in our recent bad record.

“The questionable timing of the removal of key management has exacerbated our challenges. Stability and commitment in the team are required; success will undoubtedly follow.”

Paul went on to say, “The players having to learn so many different playing styles hasn’t helped, which is why any new manager needs a preseason to change the team’s philosophy.”

“Now that Rowett is playing the cautious style that John Eustace did (some may argue negative), we’ve looked better at the back, but it’s a little late because Mark Venus was only allowed a game or two in the job. Whatever happens on Saturday, I’m more enthusiastic about the future as a KRO fan than ever before.