Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe has been speaking on the latest edition of Sky Sports’ EFL Podcast about Birmingham City’s fight against the drop in the Championship this season.
Lee Bowyer arrived at St. Andrew’s in March, and has won five of his eight league games as manager to move the Blues 13 points clear of the relegation zone with two games to go.
Birmingham had a tough set of fixtures, but apart from one defeat against Watford, Bowyer has sealed wins against the likes of Reading and Swansea to secure their place in the Championship next season.
Hinchcliffe was full of praise for Bowyer and thinks that Birmingham could be one to watch next season.
He said: “I remember predicting when he took over, we know the talent that he has, but looking at the games Birmingham had left, maybe the feeling around the club after [Aitor] Karanka left, I saw them going down. But Lee has done an extraordinary job.
“So what we’ve seen is, yes, he’s done the job he was brought in to do – to keep them in the Championship. But in that second half against Derby, we can maybe get an idea of the development that he’ll look to bring next season when again, the pressure is off at the start the season, he can really implement how he truly wants that team to play; he might bring a few players in as well.
“They have the capabilities of being solid, being route-one, very direct and being successful playing that way but also switching to a more footballing style.
“Play a back four and a diamond, and I think Birmingham are a team to watch under Lee Bowyer next season because he’s got the balance absolutely right.”
Do you think Birmingham can be a force this season?
Yes, with Bowyer we could be
No, the squad isn't good enough
TIF Thoughts on Birmingham next season…
Bowyer has been an inspired choice to come in and save his former club; however, we will be intrigued to see what he can achieve next season with a full pre-season and transfer window behind him.
Clearly, Hinchcliffe thinks that the Blues could be the team to watch next season and if they carry on this form under Bowyer, then we think they will be as well.
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