Birmingham’s run-in will really test Monk’s credentials

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Birmingham City are gearing up for the business end of the season.

Birmingham City’s battle to avoid the drop will likely take them through until the end of the Championship season and, with the recent appointment of Garry Monk, fans are confident that they can mastermind yet another survival campaign.

Since walking through the doors of St Andrew’s, Monk has done a fantastic job lifting the spirits around the club. Under Steve Cotterill, it is no secret that things were heading in the wrong direction, and the change was necessary in order to preserve what was left of the Blues’ confidence.

While no game is easy at this level, Birmingham will face a particularly tricky run-in over the next few weeks, although it may not seem like it purely from looking at the fixture list. They will kick off a busy Easter period by hosting Ipswich Town in what should be seen as a must win, before travelling up north to face Bolton in the definition of a relegation six-pointer.

Birmingham will not be able to catch their breath from there either, with another home game four days later against fellow strugglers Burton Albion. They will finish a run of four matches in less than a fortnight with a visit to Bristol City, who still have desires of finishing in the top six.

A short break will allow them time to heal before two very tough games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United, and then they finish off the season with clashes against QPR and Fulham.

A few of those teams are more than beatable for the Blues but the issue is that, aside from Ipswich and QPR, they have all got something to play for. Whether it be a promotion chase or troubles down the other end, Monk will need to adapt the way in which he sets his side up from one game to another depending on the quality of who they are facing.

Remaining consistent in the Championship is difficult at the best of times, but Monk is really going to have to manage his resources from now until May. Birmingham have the squad necessary to stay up, but now it is just a case of putting their potential into practice.