Zola power starting to shine after a slow start – Johnson
FORMER Birmingham City star Michael Johnson insists Gianfranco Zola will ‘get it right’ as long as he is given time.
The ex-defender was at St Andrew’s on Saturday to watch Blues record their first win under the Italian, as they beat Fulham 1-0 and snapped a ten-game winless run.
And Johnson, who spent eight years at the club, was impressed with the current players’ commitment and desire to convert Zola’s instructions into points. But he warned there will be bumps in the road.
“The players are definitely onside, you can see they are trying everything to adhere to the new style and philosophy,” he said. “Everybody just needs to be patient. There is no obvious quick fix, you can see gradual improvement. There will be ups and downs, probably even a few more downs to come.
“It is going to take time, there is a rebuilding process going on underneath the surface – which is a complete contrast to what Gary Rowett used to do.
“Speaking to some of the leadership team at the weekend, there has been a massive change and things are improving and on the up.
“It will take time but I strongly believe he will get it right. Remember he’s only had one window - there can be no question of replacing him.
“He needs a couple of transfer windows and it could take 18 months.”
Johnson left his position with the Cardiff City Under 23s earlier this season and is currently studying a Masters degree at Manchester University, alongside the likes of Steve McClaren, Dietmar Hamann and Edgar Davids.
His intention is to take a role as a technical director r at a club adding management expertise to his experience of playing and coaching.
Johnson was also on the same e UEFA A licence ce course as Zola and described the Blues manager as ‘relentless’ in his approach and footballing philosophy.
He claims Birmingham’s players will benefit from working under a manager who has had a peerless playing career.
“The most important thing is he needs good people behind the scenes while results are not the best,” said Johnson. “Also the players need to start taking their chances in front of goal, be more resolute when defending and keep open minds to a different way of football.
“If they do that he will make them better players just by making different demands of them and the future will be bright.
“As long as it combines with sensible recruitment. We all know enough about Craig Gardner to know he is quality and has played at the highest level for so many years.
“He is also someone who understands the fabric of Birmingham City and what the supporters want. I think he is a very good signing, it’s a masterstroke getting him back to the club.”
Zola believes Josh Dacres-Cogley is a Premier League defender in the making.
The Blues manager recently rewarded the academy product for his breakthrough season with a new year contract which runs until June 2020. That came at the same time as unsubstantiated speculation linking the 20-year-old with Southampton.
Dacres-Cogley has made ten appearances, including his debut against Oxford last October.
Zola believes sufficiently in the right-back to allow Paul Caddis and Jonathan Spector to leave.
“I have a lot of faith in him, I like him very much,” Zola said. “Every time I put him on he has done very well. He has potential. He also has a good character and a good attitude.
“That’s why, like we did with David Davis, we think they are the future of the club and we want to invest with them. It is his first year, he is very young and he looks very sharp.
“I wouldn’t be surprised one day if I see him playing in the Premier League. Hopefully with us.”