Birmingham City are one of a handful of Championship sides that were really written off at the start of the season.

After a pretty disastrous end to last season's campaign, the Blues have really bounced back and after some pretty thrifty summer business, they look quite the force to be reckoned with this season.

And after another win this Saturday over Blackburn Rovers, Blues supporters really should be thinking about the play-offs come the end of the season.

It was a scrappy affair against struggling Rovers, but thanks to a Steven Gleeson goal, Gary Rowett's side won all three points that keeps them in sixth in the table. A far cry from when Rowett first took over at St Andrews.

But who were the standout players on the day? Who really shone as they snuck past Owen Coyle's struggling side?

Here's our THREE figures who really helped Blues to victory over Blackburn at St Andrews...

David Cotterill

You've got to give Welsh international David Cotterill some serious credit with the way he went about this game against Rovers.

He's struggled to make the starting eleven on a few occasions now this season and has drawn criticism from some areas of the St Andrews faithful, with some believing his work-rate is a little lacking.

But he proved the haters wrong in the win at St Andrews on Saturday, giving an energy-filled performance that must put him back in the first-team fold. Full of running, crosses and endeavor, the former Doncaster man had a great afternoon.

Stephen Gleeson

Goalscorer and eventual match-winner, former MK Dons man Steven Gleeson must be praised for his part in the 1-0 win.

Again, another player who might not have featured as much as he would have liked at the start of the season but he took his goal extremely well and gave Gary Rowett plenty of food for thought going forward.

Ryan Shotton

Former Stoke City man Ryan Shotton has been absolutely immense for the Blues since signing on a permanent deal this summer. He arrived at St Andrews with a slightly negative reputation but once again showed that he is up to the task of being Birmingham's number one centre-half alongside Michael Morrison.

He won every ball and despite a slight wobble against QPR in the week, recovered well and gave a performance full of confidence.

Kept the lively Adam Armstrong quiet for most of the game and for that, he deserves real credit.

Good on the lad, who Blues fans will hope can only keep getting better after another promising display.