Underperforming Birmingham players have been warned that they face being forced out of a “journey” that includes NFL legend Tom Brady.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Blues piecing together ambitious plansRooney already removed from that projectPlayers challenged to prove their worthWHAT HAPPENED?
The Blues have drawn up ambitious plans for the future since welcoming new investors through the doors. American football icon Brady forms part of the board at St Andrew’s and is a man – with seven Super Bowl rings to his name – that is accustomed to winning.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Tony Mowbray has been drafted in to help deliver on expectations in the West Midlands, with Wayne Rooney lasting just 15 games in that role, and he is learning quickly who can be trusted within his squad, and who may have to be moved on.
WHAT MOWBRAY SAID
Birmingham suffered a 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat at Leicester last time out, with Mowbray’s options from the bench that day offering little to suggest that they can guide the club towards ultimate targets. Mowbray has said: “An enforced change at half-time didn’t really help us. I’d have to say the changes that we made didn’t really help us either. It felt as if the changes were making us less effective, and their changes were making them more effective. I’ve told them that. It’s an important part of their careers, they have seen the identity, they have seen how hard they have to work. If they don’t bring it they won’t be playing. It’s down to them. I’ve always said that. I try and lay everything out about what I believe and how we have to do it. They either want to come on the journey and do it or they don’t. The ones who don’t, don’t play. It’s as simple as that as far as I can see.”
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BIRMINGHAM?
Birmingham are still only seven points clear of the Championship relegation zone this season and are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window as they seek to start taking positive steps back towards the Premier League – with Brady very much part of that project.
