Birmingham City travel to Leeds United on New Year’s Day, a difficult game at the best of times. Now, with the Blues slumping to 20th in the EFL Championship table, and still with only two wins under Wayne Rooney’s guidance, this looks like it could prove to be a tipping point for the St. Andrews side.
Maybe more worrying is the fact that the boss seems happy with the achievement of a clean sheet. Yes, the manner in which his side has shipped goals recently, nine in the last three outings, meant that was an area of concern.
Supporters though are becoming more and more frustrated with the style, and the rigidness in which Rooney is keeping with it. In fairness the goalless draw played out against Bristol City was one to easily forget.
Except Birmingham fans, cannot let this one go as their side showed no ambition going forward. Home games are key, and now that they are in a relegation fight, wins on home turf are vital.
“That’s football and sometimes when you are conceding goals you have to make a decision on if you want to go full out and try and score three, four goals every game,” Rooney told reporters after the game and was captured by BirminghamLive.
“We have been scoring goals but we really had to prioritise our defensive play today to make sure we were solid. That was our game plan and a priority for us today.
“Of course, you want to do more in the final third. I’m not saying we weren’t looking to attack at all.
“The real priority today was a clean sheet. I sat here after the last game answering questions on what we can do to stop conceding goals, so we have really focussed on that and I’m pleased with that.”
The clean sheet may have been seen as a bonus for the gaffer, but the angry crowd thought otherwise, and with Elland Road calling in just a couple of days those fans could be fearful of a drubbing.
https://twitter.com/BCFC/status/1740878132540785101
“I think we could have done more in attacking areas. The real focus today was keeping a clean sheet.” Rooney continued on his train of thought that this was a huge positive. “I thought we defended well as a group, we were compact, we were hard to play through, and we nullified Bristol’s opportunities.
“It wasn’t a classic game to watch, I get that and understand that, but we had to have a big priority today on keeping a clean sheet. You always want more and I tried to bring some energy on with the three changes. But the main priority was keeping the clean sheet.”
Writer’s View
These are very troubling times for Birmingham City. If Wayne Rooney has been told that his job is safe no matter what happens, then he will continue to utilise his players in a style which is somewhat alien to them.
He will need to act quick if the freefall continues, but it would be a surprise if Leeds do a number on his side, he could be facing a very uncomfortable start to 2024. One that could in fact leave him without a job.
