Birmingham City manager Aitor Karanka admits he can understand the frustrations of the club's fans over recent results and performances, but insists things will change under him.

The Blues' goals draw with Millwall on Saturday was the fifth straight game they have failed to win, and they have so far scored just ten goals in their 14 league games so far this season.

Not surprisingly, that has become something of a frustration for the club's supporters, and Karanka says he can understand that sentiment from the fanbase, but is confident things will get better for his side.

Speaking after that draw Millwall about the frustrations expressed by the club's fans, Karanka was quoted by Birmingham Live as saying: “I can understand them perfectly because if I was one of them I would say the same. I am not one of them. I am here to build and I want to make them happy at the end of the season and the following season and the following season.

"But I can understand them one hundred per cent. I hope it will improve because if are not happy with the performances, imagine me.

"I am the one who wants to win the games because I don’t prepare the game to draw or to lose. I prepare every single game to win."

Indeed, it seems Karanka believes it will take time for his side to gel and adapt to his style of play, with the Spaniard going on to add: “We are building a team – we have been together for three or four months so for us to compete against them is good.

“If we had played with the same intensity last Tuesday and the Friday before, we would have won those games for sure. We need to play with this intensity and consistency because the more we stay together, the more chances we will create and the more games we will win."

Following that draw with Millwall, Birmingham currently sit 17th in the Championship table, and are back in action when they host Barnsley at St Andrew's on Tuesday night.

The Verdict

You can't help but wonder exactly what Birmingham City fans will make of these claims made by Karanka.

Admittedly, there is always a possibility that players will need time to adapt when a new manager comes in, especially during a summer when changes to the squad are being made in the transfer window as well.

However, that shouldn't affect the tactics a manager employs, and it does seem as though that is a big part of the issue for those of a Birmingham persuasion, something you can well understand at the minute, given their recent lack of goals and wins.

As a result, you have to feel that if Karanka continues to employ the defensive style of play who has used through much of his managerial career, these frustrations may well remain, which could increase the pressure on the Spaniard.