Birmingham City have had a rather odd start to the season, a campaign beset by problems before a ball had even been kicked in a friendly game.

Garry Monk endured a horrible summer, one where a period of rebuilding was needed, but a transfer embargo put paid to that.

He went into the season arguably weaker than when he came out of the previous one, so little was expected this time around.

To a degree fans have been disappointed. After seven games they're without a win and fourth from bottom, but have only lost twice. However, they're resilient, well drilled and organised, to such an extent that Monk couldn't find criticism recently.

"I'm sitting here with that feeling of not being able to ask much more from the players performance-wise, but those small margins - you get that goal and then that penalty, those are the small margins we are on the wrong side of at the moment," he told Birmingham Live after drawing with west Brom at the weekend.

"Everyone who watches us can see how hard our players are trying to get that three points. It’s very difficult to sit here as a manager and criticise when there’s not much to actually criticise. Those margins are not quite with us at the minute."

They travel to fifth-placed Sheffield United tomorrow, a side who have lost more games than the Blues but have managed to win rather than draw many of their others.

The Verdict

Birmingham don't look far away from being a good side, but the difference is the quality up front which they weren't able to attract in the summer.

To be fourth from bottom having lost fewer games than the side in fifth must be tough to take, but Monk has to find a way of turning draws and potential into wins.

If they manage that, they might be a surprise package in the division this season.

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