After a flying start to the season, which put Birmingham firmly in the play-off picture, the Blues have slipped out of contention for a top six spot.

However, the biggest twist in the tale of Birmingham's demise was the fact that they sacked Gary Rowett, despite occupying one of the play-off places, which his undoubtedly the aim for the Blues this year.

Rowett's replacement was Gianfranco Zola, but the Italian hasn't exactly set the world alight in his tenure so far, winning just one league game, which is the main reason why Birmingham are now out of contention for the top six.

Zola has brought an expansive style of play to Birmingham and they do play nice football, but the results aren't there, as they were under Rowett.

The Italian has brought a lot of his own players to St Andrews in January, meaning there was quite a big overhaul on the squad, so it is difficult to adapt quickly.

There has undoubtedly been some flops at Birmingham this season and FLW writer Chris Wilson looks at the three biggest.

Che Adams

Adams arrived at St Andrews over the summer from League One highflyers, Sheffield United, and it was expected he would kick on and hit the heights that many Blades fans felt he was capable of, but so far, this hasn't happened.

Adams has seemingly struggled to settle in at Birmingham this season and he will need to improve if he is to force his way into the Blues' side on a regular basis.

There is no doubting that Adams is a quality player, but he needs to show it on a regular basis in order to move forward in his career.

David Cotterill

Cotterill has been a steady performer for Birmingham over the last couple of seasons, but this year, he hasn't turned up for the Blues which lead to him departing St Andrews.

The Welsh winger has left Birmingham on loan to Bristol City for the remainder of the season, largely because he hasn't impressed the new manager.

If Cotterill is to have a future at Birmingham, he will have to impress Zola, as it seems the Italian will be the manager is a long term appointment and upon his return, he will have to vastly up his performance level.

Diego Fabbrini

Fabbrini only joined Birmingham on a permanent basis just over a year ago, after spending time on loan at Middlesbrough but he has already been pushed out of St Andrews.

Fabbrini has left Birmingham on loan to sign for Serie B side Spezia for the rest of the season, after struggling to force himself into Zola's plans.

This has come as somewhat of a surprise. With the Italian connection between Zola and Fabbrini, you would have expected that the attacking midfielder would have fitted into Zola's system, but clearly, he hasn't.