Former West Bromwich Albion striker Don Goodman has slammed Birmingham City’s decision to replace John Eustace with Wayne Rooney last month.
Under Eustace’s guidance, the Blues had enjoyed their best start to a Championship campaign in several years, culminating in a 3-1 win over West Brom just before the October international break. That result sent Birmingham into the play-off places and there was a genuine optimism amongst supporters that the good times were finally returning to St Andrew’s.
Almost simultaneously, and whilst the celebrations continued, little did supporters know that news across the pond would have a direct effect on their campaign. MLS outfit DC United failed to qualify for the end-of-season play-offs, resulting in manager Wayne Rooney tendering his resignation and citing his ambition to return to England.
Rumours immediately surfaced that the former England international would replace Eustace, and he was sacked on October 9th, three days after their impressive victory over their city rivals. Rooney did indeed follow, but he has endured the worst possible start, picking up one point from his first five fixtures and plunging to 18th in the table.
Supporters have been quick to voice their displeasure, although the 38-year-old will need time to implement his style of play as he looks to feature a more possession based, passing game. Pressure is already beginning to mount, but Sky Sports pundit and former West Brom man Don Goodman doesn’t believe that Rooney is in any danger. Speaking to OLBG, the 57-year-old said;
“I don’t think Rooney is fighting for his job. He’s the owners’ man and they clearly wanted him.
“Let’s get it right – the commercial value of Rooney is enormous, and all of a sudden, this Championship club has Wayne Rooney and Tom Brady attached to them. It doesn’t get much bigger than that. I’m not sure if that helps get you in the Premier League, but time will tell.
“Wayne has alluded to being backed in the transfer market. He wants to play a possession-based game as he did at Derby and DC United. I don’t see him as being under pressure. The mess that Birmingham have got into is the owners’ fault, not Wayne’s.”
Continuing, Goodman criticised Birmingham’s decision to part company with Eustace, especially with the fixtures they had on the horizon immediately following the October break;
“The timing couldn’t have been worse. To bring in a new manager right before you play Middlesbrough away, Hull City at home, Southampton away, Ipswich at home, and Sunderland away leads me to wonder what they’re thinking.
“If those first couple of results happened to John Eustace, as they possibly could have due to the level of opposition, then they could have thanked John for his efforts before going in a different direction.
“Instead, they decided that Wayne is their man and they should get him in now. Birmingham were sixth when Wayne came in, and the pressure was on straight away. It was completely unnecessary.”
A change of fortunes could be on the cards though, with three of their next four fixtures against teams in and around the relegation zone. The ex-Sunderland attacker believes the next three are vital for Rooney;
“They now have Sheffield Wednesday at home, Blackburn away, and Rotherham at home. The home games are winnable and you’d think they have to do so. Taking six points out of three games will change the picture and they’ll jump up a few places. It will feel better then.
“I feel for Wayne, as he’s come in in the middle of this run and the crowd is on his back. You need results when you come into a new club, and it didn’t happen. With that run of fixtures, it never was.
“Wayne has been put under pressure by the timing and the owners. The ‘no-fear’ football statement is baffling. They’re saying that Eustace got to sixth playing with fear! It made no sense and it was a poorly worded statement.
“The new owners have made a rod for their own backs. They’ve gone in with all guns blazing and they’ve displayed their ambition to get into the Premier League, but with that comes pressure. I feel sorry for Wayne as a small section of fans are starting to boo, but it’s not his fault. I just want to put that out there.
“He is their man, and I’d expect he will get a bit of time. The next three games are massive.”
Writer’s View
Wayne Rooney would’ve known exactly what he was getting himself into and the pressure won’t faze him one bit. What he has tried to do at Birmingham so far is incredibly brave. It would have been easy to come in and play the same way that Eustace did in order to grind out some results, but he has set about his work straight away and attempted to put his stamp on the squad.
The Manchester United legend knows it will take time to see the benefits, but he clearly feels that he has time on his side. The mood around St Andrew’s could be very different this time next month. Although currently 18th, they are just seven points off the play-off places and things in this division can change very quickly.
