Che: It’s my time to shine at Blues
CHE Adams is determined to ‘kick on’ under Harry Redknapp and play an ever bigger part in the manager’s Birmingham City revolution.
The young forward scored the goal that kept Blues in the Championship in May, which prompted Redknapp to sign up for another year in charge.
His vital first-half strike at Bristol City was the seventh goal of a promising debut campaign after moving to the Midlands from Sheffield United last summer.
Adams, like Redknapp, has already spoken of the club’s ambition to be challenging at the other end of the table next season.
Blues will need to be more resolute in defence and more deadly going forward to do that – and Adams will be key to unlocking that aim.
“I was quite pleased with how went,” Adams said.
“I would have liked to have scored more goals and I think I could have contributed a bit more to the whole team.
“But it was a big move for me and I think in the end I did OK.
“But I will certainly be looking to kick on this season under Harry Redknapp.”
The 20-year-old has already played under three different managers at Blues. He was utilised in a number of positions by Gary Rowett, Gianfranco Zola and Harry Redknapp, including playing on both the left and right wings.
“It wasn’t a problem for me where I played,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it hindered me (not having a solitary position throughout). I viewed it as a challenge, to try to better myself, and also it made sure I was not complacent. Obviously there’s a lot of competition in attack and no one is guaranteed to play. That’s got to be a positive for the team.”
Blues finished just two points above the relegation zone and would have been consigned to the drop had Adams not found the net at Ashton Gate.
But the former Ilkeston forward has not stopped to think what might have been had he not bagged that crucial goal – or had Blues’ steadfast defence wavered in the face of intense pressure. it “No, not really,” he admitted. “Everything moves so fast you tend not to look back – we’re all looking forward to the new season now.
“Yes it was a memorable day, thankfully for the right reasons. And those last six minutes of added-time were not ideal, they were killing us.
“I could hardly stand it as I had been taken off by then and had to watch. But everyone stuck in there and we made sure we kept them out, it was a brilliant effort in very difficult circumstances.
“We made it hard for ourselves, but we stayed up in the end, which is what it was all about.”
Redknapp has challenged Ravel Morrison to ‘be the player I know he can be’ after the attacker pulled on a Blues shirt for the first time in four years.
The talented play-maker played the second half of Blues’ 1-0 preseason defeat to 1. FC Union Berlin on Tuesday.
Redknapp praised the Lazio man for the effort he has put in since coming on trial – but admitted things hadn’t gone accordingly to plan in Wolfsberg.
“He’s got good ability,” Redknapp said. “He was too deep tonight. He needs to play up the field. If he is going to be the player I know he can be he has got to be up there hurting the opposition.
“If you play someone as a No. 10 they have got to give me ten goals this year. It’s no good not scoring. If you are going to get promoted your two front men have got to get 16 goals apiece, at least.
“You have got to get goals from midfield. You have got to score otherwise you have got no chance.
“He is with us for the month, I like him. He has trained well, he has worked hard. “It was difficult tonight. “Some of the lads have got to do better to convince me to get anywhere near my team.” The Birmingham Post newspaper is published by BPM Media (Midlands): Floor 6, Fort Dunlop, Birmingham B24 9FF, a subsidiary company of Trinity Mirror PLC: One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP. Printed at The Fort, Wood Lane, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9PW. Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper.