ROO HAS NO FEAR OF CHALLENGE!

WAYNE Rooney arrives at Birmingham City hailed by the club's American owners as a 'world-class manager who will create an 'identity' and 'no-fear' playing style.

- Chris Dunlavy

Predecessor John Eustace clearly did not fulfil the brief and was ruthlessly jettisoned despite guiding the Blues to sixth place. No pressure there, then.

"I love the challenge," Rooney insisted at Thursday's unveiling. "I love the pressure of it. That is something I have dealt with since I was a young kid, coming through from 16 years of age." Indeed it is, yet those who observed Rooney during his two spells at DC United - first as a player and then as head coach - will tell you he also relished the opportunity to eat, drink and be merry away from the spotlight's glare.

What the MLS also provided was time. Upon his arrival in Washington in July last year, Rooney was handed an 18-month contract.

With the club at a historically low ebb, there was never any prospect of the deal being terminated, giving the former Manchester United and England man time to craft a squad and impose a style he could truly call his own.

Speaking on Thursday about what Blues fans could expect from his side, Rooney referenced the club's 'no fear' imperative.

"In terms of how I want my team to play, I want them to be brave," he said. "These are messages I have given to my players at Derby County and DC United.

"I want them to take risks. I want them to play forwards. We have got really good attacking players in this squad, so we have to use them. We have to get them the ball, we have to get crosses into the box and back it up.

"It's a mindset, a mentality of when you get the ball, what are you going to do with it? "Are you going to pass it on to your team-mate and let him make a decision or are you going to take a decision yourself? That's a message I really try to get into my players.

"Ultimately, I want this team to mirror me as a player. It's hard work, it's dedication, it's taking risks, being creative, but also a style of play which is exciting and entertaining for the fans.