BOWYER'S BLUES

LIFELONG BIRMINGHAM CITY FAN KEITH OIXON LOOKS AT THE IMPACT OF BOSS LEE BOWYER AT HIS BELOVED BLUES...

IT WAS back in March that Lee Bow-yer was appointed to replace Aitor Karanka as head coach of Birmingham City and, all things considered, he’s done a decent job.

Both on and off the pitch, Lee has exhibited his knowledge of football and, perhaps more importantly, an understanding of what the fans want from their team.

In his opening 29 games, Lee has given us 100 per cent commitment to the shirt and resilience in our performances not previously experienced under recent regimes.

With a win ratio of 41.4 per cent (Won 12, Drew 6, Lost 11), Lee has delivered the highest figure since Chris Hughton’s 41.9 per cent ten years ago.

His connections have supported our financially-strapped resources by obtaining Premier League starlets on loan: Tahith Chong, from Manchester United, bringing pace and skill to our midfield and Matija Sarkic, from Wolves, who has provided more than adequate cover for our first-choice goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who has yet to make a league appearance this term after a long-term illness associated with coronavirus.

Lee has also had to manage the arrival of Troy Deeney from Watford, which was a major deal for Birmingham City. For the first time in a long time, we really had ‘one of our own’ joining the club.