What seemed to be looking like a hugely impressive and promising season for Birmingham City has been thrown into limbo over the past month, with nerves jangling at St. Andrew's.
The West Midlands side found themselves well up there this season, with the club making great strides under Garry Monk and climbing to within touching distance of the play-off spots - but after being hit with a nine-point deduction, Blues now find themselves sitting just five points clear of the relegation zone, occupying 18th spot in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Having lost their last five league games, their form isn't exactly installing any confidence amongst the Blues faithful, and however unfair it may seem, their key players really need to step up to the plate now at such a vital stage of the campaign.
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Of course, they have a goal threat in Che Adams up front every week, but in midfield their needs to be some will and desire to push Monk's men away from any kind of danger.
Connor Mahoney is a player who has endured a turbulent season at Birmingham following his loan switch from AFC Bournemouth, and has been in and out of the first-team at the expense of either Jacques Maghoma or Jota.
Blues will be counting on his creativity and threat to help pick up as many points possible with just seven games left to play, but has he done enough to prove that he can ignite a climb up the table, as well as proving to Eddie Howe that he is capable of playing in the top-flight? Here, we take a look at his stats from this season in our FLW Spotlight...
Mahoney has made 27 Championship appearances this season, making an extra two appearances in the cup competitions. The winger has returned just two goals for Garry Monk's side whilst adding four assists.
Other wingers such as Jota for instance, have produced more assists than Mahoney this season, registering nine assists and scoring two goals. Maghoma, meanwhile, has added more goals to his game, netting five times in all competitions and producing three assists.
Mahoney's two strikes have come from an average of just 0.9 shots per game, with the 22-year old completing an average of just 1.5 crosses per game and 1.3 key passes per game.
His link-up play has left a lot to be desired too, accruing a pass success rate of just 57.6% this season.
The Verdict
Bournemouth have plenty of creative options going forward - the likes of Ryan Fraser and David Brooks have contributed to plenty of goals for Eddie Howe's men this season, and the South Coast club will be desperate to keep hold of them beyond this season.
Mahoney's stats show that he perhaps isn't ready for top-flight football just yet, and that he needs to add more goals to his game if he wants to become a regular for the Cherries.