Birmingham City’s season has stalled recently, and fans will be left disappointed by the club’s failure to take advantage of an excellent start to the season, as they look to be heading for a mid-table finish.
Gianfranco Zola’s side currently sit 14th in the Sky Bet Championship table, comfortably away from the relegation zone, but also a considerable distance away from the Play-Offs.
The Blues’ season started well under Gary Rowett, and Birmingham looked on course to be challenging for a Play-Off place in May.
Rowett was surprisingly relieved of his duties in December and replaced by Zola, a move that has hindered Birmingham’s progression.
Since Zola’s appointment, the Blues have won just one game from 13 across all competitions, and their season has gradually slipped away.
Birmingham tried to recruit some big names during the January transfer window, in a bid to reignite their top-six hopes, but failed to land targets such as Bakary Sako and Wayne Routledge.
Here we look at TWO players who need to impress between now and the end of he season…
Che Adams
Adams joined the club during the summer transfer window from League One side Sheffield United.
The 20-year old has masses of potential, and scored 12 goals last season for the Blades, who were desperate to keep hold of the forward last summer.
Adams has done well for Birmingham this season, scoring four goals from 17 Championship starts, including one in the Blues’ latest defeat to Preston North End.
Blues’ fans will be hoping Adams can show more promising form and build on his recent goal.
With no pressure of relegation or promotion, Adams should be looking to impress between now and the end of the season.
Craig Gardner
The midfielder joined the Blues on-loan during the January transfer window from Premier League side West Brom.
Gardner is expected to join Birmingham permanently after the season has finished.
The 30-year old previously had a spell with Birmingham and helped them to win the League Cup in 2011.
Gardner has failed to excite fans since his return to St Andrew’s, making seven appearances and receiving a red-card in Tuesday’s defeat to Preston.
The experienced midfielder will want to impress between now and the end of the season, to justify his pending transfer to the club.