New Year, same old Blues. A 3-0 defeat away to Leeds on New Year’s Day was evidently the straw that broke the camel’s back for Tom Wagner and Knighthead, with Wayne Rooney receiving his marching orders less than 24 hours later. Blues now seek their tenth permanent manager in just over seven years, as once again the R word hangs in the air like a bad smell.
It’s pretty easy to say it’s not been a great Christmas for Wayne Rooney or Birmingham City. Three games seen as winnable have resulted in just two points gained and barring 20 minutes against Plymouth the performances have been distinctly poor. With Blues now lying 20th in the Championship table seven points above the relegation places, has the time come for Rooney to be given his marching orders?
Racing Club Warwick overcame Birmingham City’s under-21 side 2-0 in a fascinating Birmingham Senior Cup game at Townsend Meadow on Tuesday night. Goals from Louis Monaghan and Luke Shearer either side of half time did for a young and inexperienced Blues u21 team.
It’s been a few days since I published the first part of my reflections of the Blues Open House event held on November 27. Since then, Blues have gone on to lose to Blackburn Rovers away and draw with Rotherham at home.
It’s been a couple of days since the Blues Open House event was held and much has been shared online by various attendees. The event appears to have been a success and the general mood online has been one of happiness with what has been achieved so far and excitement for what is to come in the future.
On Monday evening Birmingham City held their inaugural “Open House” session, outlining future strategy to more than 100 fans present. Various senior management staff gave talks on how departments were looking to progress following the takeover by Knighthead, while Club Chairman Tom Wagner and Garry Cook also gave keynote speeches.
On Monday, November 27 Blues will hold their slightly postponed first edition of “Blues Open House” at St Andrew’s. The initiative will see 100 or so invited fans including myself attend a series of presentations about the future of the club along with a short Q&A session with Blues CEO Garry Cook and the leadership team.
On Wednesday evening Blues laid out their first actions in improving communication between fans and the club. Three initiatives were laid out including a “Town Hall” styled meeting with 100 invited fans; an official fan engagement programme that will have quarterly meetings with a selected fan group and a new official Blues Supporters Group.
It’s safe to say the honeymoon is over and interesting times have returned to B9. A second successive defeat for Blues to begin Wayne Rooney’s reign led to fans booing the team off the pitch and more wailing and gnashing of teeth online. Is this the next big dip on the football rollercoaster that is being a fan of Birmingham City?
After a convincing 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Friday night I was fairly sure that the weekend would be a chill and relaxing one from a Blues perspective. Unforunately, Blues don’t do normal, with the rumours of Wayne Rooney being given the Blues job resurfacing and solidifying.
