Birmingham's 'Rowett revolution' continued in earnest this season, with the Blues going from fighting relegation last season to scrapping for a playoff position.

The defence, in particular, was much stronger than in previous seasons - conceding 15 fewer goals than in the previous season - with captain Michael Morrison a rock at the back.

Paul Caddis was as consistent as ever at right back and blessed with a virtue of options in midfield with players like Maikel Kieftenbeld and Jacques Maghoma making an excellent impact since their summer moves.

It was up front where Rowett found life difficult, with top scorer Clayton Donaldson doing it all himself really with 11 goals.

A respectable tally of course, though with only loan star and Player of the Year Jon Toral coming close to matching that contribution, it proved to be a relatively barren few months at St. Andrew's.

Rowett failed to address the lack of strikers with January signings James Vaughan, Kyle Lafferty and Diego Fabbrini all failing to make an impact.

For next year Birmingham need more options up front and on the wing and here is there possible XI at the start of the season.

GK -Tomasz Kuszczak

The Polish goalkeeper signed on a free transfer at the start of the season after being released by Wolves and had a fruitful season between the sticks.

The former Manchester United keeper started nigh on every game this season before breaking his nose towards the end of the campaign and was well pushed by back up keeper Adam Legzdins.

LB - Luke Garbutt

One of the best young defenders in England and spent last season on loan at Championship Fulham, making 24 appearances.

He is highly rated at Everton and made his debut back in 2013 for the Premier League side. He has represented England at every youth level including the U21 set up last year.

Garbutt boasts a huge amount of pace but needs to improve his crossing ability, making a spell cutting his teeth in the second tier again an ideal prospect for him.

CB - Michael Morrison

The stoic captain is one of the main reasons they have emerged as potential playoff contenders and have been crucial in the Rowett revolution.

He was loaned in last season from Charlton when they were leaking goals like mad and Morrison plugged the defence excellently and won Player of the Year.

This led to him signing a permanent deal and started every game last season alongside experienced Paul Robinson at first but eventually alongside Ryan Shotton who came on loan from Derby.

He was outstanding again and part of the reason the defence had a vastly improved record and is probably the biggest player in the Rowett revolution.

CB - Ryan Shotton

Even though the experienced Paul Robinson was a good partner for Morrison at the start of the season, though loan player Ryan Shotton usurped him throughout the campaign.

It wasn't the easiest of starts for the former Stoke City man, though his key role in the win over Reading late on in the season proved a turning point.

His good form in the remaining games suggest he could be a long term partner for Morrison next season and also Birmingham are closing in on a permanent deal with Derby keen to sell.

RB - Paul Caddis

Arguably the most passionate and consistent player in the line-up is Scot Paul Caddis more crucial to the turnaround at St Andrews than anyone else.

His goal in the last minute away at Bolton a couple of seasons ago kept them up and without it the Rowett revolution could never have got off the ground in England's second city.

He is one of the top full backs vastly underrated and crosses more balls into the box than any other defender in the Championship except Nsue and if Birmingham play with wing backs he could be even better.

An excellent defender, he remains one of the most important components of his manager's plans.

CM - Maikel Kieftenbeld

The 25-year old Dutchman signed for a reported £250,000 and was a revelation in midfield either playing in place of Davis and Gleeson or part of a three in midfield.

He was one of the best buys of the season scoring 3 times including one in a 3-0 rout of Derby. He was good at breaking up midfield play and is capable of playing a box to box role learning to support attacking moves too.

Only Jonathan Grounds made more tackles per game than Kieftenbeld did and Rowett uses him to control games.

Also he was nominated for Championship Player of the month in January and is showing skill adapting to the English game and Birmingham fans will want even more from the sensation next season.

CM - Robert Tesche

The German midfielder had a sporadic series of spells in Germany with Arminia Bielefeld and Hamburg before moving to English side Nottingham Forest.

He had an inconsistent first season with Forest with him scoring a stunner against Charlton but overall he failed to establish himself in the first team and was loaned out to Birmingham.

He wasn't part of Dougie Freedman's plans so was loaned out to St Andrew's, replacing the injured Gleeson and played solidly for the whole campaign.

LM - Jacques Maghoma

The 28-year old signed on a free after failing to impress at Sheffield Wednesday and linked up with Gary Rowett, who he played under at former club Burton.

He scored 6 goals in 44 games over the course of the season filling the void left by Demarai Gray following his departure to Premier League champions, Leicester City.

He was one of their players of the season and still has a big part to play next season with the midfield needing to provide greater service for striker Clayton Donaldson.

CAM - Jon Toral

Toral was outstanding for Birmingham last season with his loan spell really paying off for Rowett just when they needed some extra attacking intent.

He chipped in with 8 goals and plenty of assists and impressed fans so much he pipped striker Clayton Donaldson to the Player of the Year award. His first touch, passing and first ball was graceful and he cleaned up at the Player awards at Birmingham.

They badly need some better attackers last season and even though the Spaniard wants to breakthrough at Arsenal he may benefit from a season of first team football at Birmingham.

RM - David Cotterill

The Welsh winger actually had a fairly average season at St Andrews scoring 4 goals in 29 games suffering multiple injuries to his knees and hamstring.

His link up with Donaldson wasn't really working at the start of the season and his form was very much a slow burner. But towards the end of the season his form picked up and he earned a call up to the Wales squad.

Still, he scored 9 goals the season before and, when at his best he is one of the best wingers in the Championship.

Currently on international duty with Wales, he could return a hero.

ST - Clayton Donaldson

The Jamaican striker is the main man for Birmingham with the 32 year old scoring 11 goals last season and 15 before and is very much the focal point of the attack.

He started the season very well scoring lethally but due to a lack of help goals dried up for him and Birmingham and their playoff challenge died.

Birmingham could do with more options next season to help Donaldson out with Manchester United youngster James Wilson linked and also better wingers to provide service to him as he will be the main goal scorer next season as well.

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