Venus on bringing Birmingham to town

Ipswich Town visit Birmingham City at Portman Road today (3pm), hoping for their fourth consecutive victory. Mark Heath takes a closer look at the remaining Blues.

The story so far

Birmingham’s season has been difficult and challenging.

They started the campaign on a tide of goodwill and enthusiasm, with new American owners backing the team and NFL icon Tom Brady among those investors.

 

Brady, the greatest winner in the history of American football, was even seen cheering on the squad from the stands and conversing with locals in pubs before the game.

They started brilliantly, winning three of their first four games, including a 1-0 triumph over Leeds United, and it appeared that a real promotion drive was on the cards.

But then, at the beginning of October, with the club sixth in the table following a 3-1 victory against West Brom, manager John Eustace was sensationally fired.

Surprisingly, the club’s owners stated that they wished to establish ‘a winning mindset and a culture of desire across the entire football club.’

What they really meant was that Eustace wasn’t a big enough name for their global brand.

A few days later, a big name was appointed: Wayne Rooney.

Fans were not delighted, and Rooney was booed off in his first home game, a 2-0 loss to Hull City.

His second home game saw the Blues face Town and take a 2-0 lead, but they were pegged back to 2-2, and Rooney’s regime failed to take off, culminating in a 3-0 defeat against Leeds on New Year’s Day.

He lasted only 15 games, winning two, and was fired with Birmingham in 20th place.

Town great was appointed on January 8 and has begun to turn the trend, culminating in the club’s first two-game winning streak since October, defeating Blackburn and Sunderland as they arrive in Suffolk.

Mogga is absent.

Tony Mowbray’s Town connections would have ensured a warm welcome at Portman Road today.

However, he announced earlier this week that he will be away from the field for six to eight weeks to get medical treatment.

A statement read: “Following my recent LMA Health Assessment, I received a medical diagnosis that will necessitate treatment.

“While undergoing treatment, I will need to temporarily step away from my role as manager of Birmingham City Football Club.

“Until I return, my assistant manager, Mark Venus, will take interim leadership of the team, assisted by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth, and Maik Taylor. I will continue to offer advise and counsel while in treatment.

“The club has been extremely supportive of me and my family, and we are deeply thankful. I am confident that everyone will respect our privacy at this time.

Venus, who spent six years at Town and was also a member of the renowned 2000 promotion-winning club, told the media yesterday that he believes Mowbray is OK.

“I just want to say on behalf of him, he’s had an incredible response to stepping away, the wishes from everyone inside and outside football has been amazing.”

While he will not be on the sidelines, Mowbray will continue to see training and games and advise Venus from a distance.

Venus on the blues.

Birmingham’s assistant manager is excited to take his team to Portman Road to face Town.

Regarding Town’s season thus far, he stated, “I would like us to be Ipswich in a period of time.”

“I think they’ve had an incredible season; they’ve done so well to stay on the coattails of the three relegated teams.”

“They have a pretty good young coach, and the entire community supports the football club.

“Another one I have connections with. I have a deep passion for the football club. I think Ipswich gave me my best years in football.”

Another familiar face.

In addition to Mowbray and Venus, Birmingham has another significant town link when they travel to Suffolk.

That’s midfielder Andre Dozzell, who scored on his Town debut aged 16 and is presently on loan from QPR, where he played in a 0-0 draw at Portman Road in December.

He’s had a strong start at St Andrew’s, starting the last four games as one of their two deep midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

He scored in a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers and was named man of the match in their most recent game, a 2-1 victory against Sunderland.

Venus, who was a big supporter for signing the 24-year-old, said: “He has certainly been theI believed he was a footballer.

“Everyone can see that he is a footballer. He is a good technical player who I believe fits the way we want to play the game and has a lot of potential.

“We are trying to maximise that out of him really, he is doing fine.”

Ones to watch

Jay Stansfield, an on-loan striker, impressed in the previous match between the two sides and became a January transfer target for Town.

The Fulham striker has stayed with Birmingham and leads the team with nine goals this season. He will lead the line today.

Juninho Bacuna and Jordan James have seven strikes each.

Bacuna leads the club with five assists, but keep an eye on Koji Miyoshi, who has five goals, including the game-winner against Sunderland, and four assists.

He’ll probably play wide on the right today.