BIRMINGHAM CITY

LAST SEASON

CHAMPIONSHIP 20th FA CUP Third Round LEAGUE CUP

Second Round TOP SCORER ( ALL COMPS) Scott Hogan ( 10)

FAN FILE

Last season was the usual, but without a mid- season manager change. Decent start, poor for the rest, and survival thanks to points deductions elsewhere. The big talking point has been our possible takeover ( Laurence Bassini or ex- Milan forward Maxi Lopez... yikes). This season will be different because there are no points deductions for any other clubs – well, as it stands anyway – so we’re more susceptible to the drop.

I won’t be happy unless a takeover inspires some real change off the field.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that we hope John Eustace gets everyone pulling together. Lee Bowyer’s exit has split fans. He was an honest hero as a player, but as a manager was more interested in self- preservation when results and performances worsened.

Our most underrated player is the irreplaceable Marc Roberts [ below], apparently. Bowyer’s words, not mine.

Our key player will be somebody new, probably – we went into the summer break The active with 14 player players, I’d love eight to of have them over back the is age of 30.

Jude Bellingham. Let’s unretire that shirt number.

The thing my club really gets right is honouring Arthur Labinjo- Hughes [ above]. The Family Zone was renamed Arthur’s Area last term, and his life will continue to be celebrated every year near his birthday. Fans think our owner has finally been unmasked as Wang Yaohui, thanks to the diligence of @ almajir on Twitter. Fans think our ground is in desperate need of repair – and half of it will likely remain shut when the season begins. Look out for George Hall, our England Under- 18s midfielder who made his club debut last season.

The player I’d happily drive to

drive, another though, club is so Sam I’ll pay Cosgrove. his train I don’t fare.

The opposition player I’d love here is someone Albion’s Karlan with pace Grant, – West perhaps. Bromwich The one change I’d make would be… er, does ‘ everything’ count as one? No? All right, the owners. Hopefully they’ll change everything. We’ll finish not 1st! With so much change expected, it’s difficult to say.

FFT VERDICT 24TH

Seven dogfights in the space of nine campaigns mean Blues have been circling the drain for some time – following delayed activity due to off- field uncertainty, it’s hard to see a squad thin on senior options going unscathed this time. A traumatic season likely awaits.