If Wayne Rooney had any thoughts of it being a smooth transition into the manager hot seat at Birmingham City, this week would’ve been a huge wake-up call.
After the loss at Middlesbrough in his first game in charge, it seems his players have had quite open and honest talks with the former Manchester United legend tactical approach. It is good to talk they say, but Rooney will have to take the comments on his players on the chin and move on swiftly.
Player Discontent
Even more so now, the fans are on his back after Wednesday’s home debut for Rooney, as his side slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Hull City. The boos rang out quite clearly at St. Andrews, and the loss drops City down into 13th place. Unlucky for some.
The voices of discontent were explained by the new manager after the loss and were reported by Birmingham World. The gaffer said. “I spoke to the players after the game and I’ve asked them to be honest with me. There are changes. I’ve asked them to go from being on the back foot to being more front-footed. I’m asking them – the two centre-backs, the goalkeeper and Krystian Bielik – to get us playing and we didn’t look comfortable.
“I’ve said to the players, listen, if you don’t feel comfortable and don’t feel like you can do it, tell me. We can adjust, we can adapt to that. So, it’s something for me to look at in terms of whether I am asking too much too soon. I can adjust slightly what we’re trying to do.”
https://twitter.com/BCFC/status/1717311459598672050
With the shockwaves still resonating after the club hierarchy dismissed John Eustace for their new man and following two results that saw them score no goals, and no points, it was no real surprise that the fans were negatively vocal. The team will have to get used to the changes being made, and with it the results, Rooney says, will come.
“Of course, that’s my job now to deal with that and fix that, coming out with a way they’re comfortable playing. But also, trying to implement the mentality I want to play.”
Writer’s View
This is different to a new manager bounce. Normally that phrase is used when a new boss comes in when things are not going well. Under Eustace they were, and now the form has dropped suddenly. Rooney will have to be true to his belief that his way will work, but time is not forgiving in football, and the results will have to start improving soon.
This will not be easy as on Saturday they travel to Southampton, and then welcome Ipswich Town, before a trip to Sunderland. All teams are in the top ten and very much in the tick of a congested promotion race. They will exploit the weaknesses that are very clearly rising amongst the Birmingham dressing room and stands.
