As the final day of the Championship season approaches, Birmingham City sit in the relegation zone on 47 points, third from bottom, with all sorts of scenarios possible.
One thing is clear – they have to beat Norwich, end of story. If they do, then it’s a case of what happens elsewhere.
Then, they need Plymouth (48 points) NOT to win their home game with Hull. However, even if Plymouth do win, Blues would stay up if Sheffield Wednesday (50 points) lose at Sunderland, thanks to a much better goal difference.
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If Wednesday win, Blues would still stay up if Blackburn (50 points) lose at champions Leicester, again due to a better goal difference.
However, if Blues draw and Plymouth lose by five goals to the play-off-chasing Tigers, then they stay up. I need a lie down!
Before anyone starts laying the blame for what’s gone wrong this season, just look at the facts. Blues will have had 20 games to ensure relegation was never an issue since Wayne Rooney was sacked in January.
In the 19 games played they have won five and drawn four under two very different managers in Tony Mowbray and Gary Rowett.
Irrespective of what happens on Saturday, this is an exciting time for the club under the ownership of Tom Wagner’s Knighthead organisation.
I cannot believe all the flak and criticism aimed at chief executive Garry Cook. Just look at what has happened at the club since he took over as Knighthead’s voice and leader, despite finding things much worse than was first thought.
The stadium has been transformed into one supporters can be proud of and more work is happening in the summer to improve the inside of St Andrew’s @Knighthead Park.
Revenues have doubled since he took over, which can only benefit the women’s and men’s long and short-term aims. Transfer budgets are in place, whatever league Blues are in.
Fan engagement and experience has improved immeasurably. Official supporters club formed with many branches. Community engagement through the foundation is growing day by day.
Plans for the new stadium are developing and moving forward all the time. It is not a time for blame and recrimination but a time for a united front, on and off the pitch.
So many other positive things are being driven by Cook with the approval of Wagner. They are prepared to drag the club into what we would all like it to be. That means changing so many things, especially the culture of mediocrity.
Lots of supporters have been talking about League One, either positively or negatively, as if it were a foregone conclusion. It is worth remembering Manchester City and other big clubs have dropped into the third tier and bounced back stronger.
Those who remember what it was like under Ken Weldon, the Kumar brothers and, for the last 12 years, Chinese ownership will realise just how genuine Wagner is and how exciting the future looks under his ownership.
More will be done to improve the playing squad to a level needed to attain success. Let us not make them wish they had never taken the club on as they are the best thing to happen since David Sullivan and the Gold brothers walked in the door.
