It’s January, the transfer window is open and despite Blues having signed 12 players in the summer, it would appear that many fans are hungry for more. A lack of creativity and chances let alone goals has made it difficult for the club to succeed – and the question is are we likely to see another influx of players?
On December 16, Birmingham City confirmed in a brief statement on bcfc.com that following an annual structural survey of St Andrew’s stadium, remedial work had been identified which meant that both the Kop and Tilton stands needed to be closed until further notice. Nearly three weeks later, nothing more has been said – so what’s going on?
A 2-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at St Andrew’s rounded off what has been a pretty miserable holiday period for Blues. Since beating Reading at the Madejski Stadium on December 9, Blues have lost five of six matches and have scored just three goals.
Reports broke on Thursday that Birmingham City’s Academy Manager Kristjaan Speakman is in talks with League One outfit Sunderland to become their new Technical Director. Should Speakman leave it will end a 14 year association with Blues having joined the club as a coach from Derby County in 2006.
Friday night saw Birmingham City play out a dull 0-0 draw with fellow St Andrew’s tenants, Coventry City. In a game of few chances, Lukas Jutkiewicz came closest to scoring for Blues, hitting the bar with the ball and the post with his head. While things are nowhere near as bad as the “Project Restart” shitshow in June and July, there is a suggestion that the honeymoon period is now well and truly over for Aitor Karanka.
The Birmingham Mail reported on Sunday morning the departures of various staff from the club in a new round of redundancies. The departures from the backroom staff include Head of Media Colin Tattum, First Team PA Rita Greenaway and PA to the Board Suzanne Smith. While things on the pitch have improved so much, are things so positive behind the scenes?
Birmingham Sports Holdings broke the news on Friday afternoon that they are proposing to sell a 25% stake in BCFC to Oriental Rainbow Investment Ltd, a British Virgin Islands investment vehicle owned by current BSH shareholder Vong Pech. The deal will see Vong Pech become the largest shareholder in the club among other changes.
Scott Hogan became the eighth signing of the summer for Birmingham City on Wednesday, arriving on a four year deal from the wrong side of the expressway. Hogan played 18 games on loan at Blues last season, scoring seven goals. With a month or so left of the transfer window, the question now is if Blues need to bring any more players in.
Blues started the 2020/21 Championship season the same way they began the previous one; leaving Brentford manager Thomas Frank angry after beating his side 1-0 with a well-worked header. While there was almost certainly an element of luck in the victory at Griffin Park under Pep Clotet, this season’s curtain-raiser was much more deserved.
A 1-0 defeat to Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup on Saturday meant Aitor Karanka got off to a losing start as Blues Head Coach. With a week until the Championship campaign starts, Karanka has to pick his charges back up and encourage them to believe that they can win.
