With the pressure already on for Gianfranco Zola, Birmingham City’s next few games could be huge for the Italian.
It has been an uneasy start to life as Birmingham City manager for Gianfranco Zola and to be honest, it was always going to be. The unpopular decision to sack Gary Rowett left the former West Ham United boss in a bit of a pickle, however the Championship giveth and the Championship taketh away as we can see when it comes to the Blues’ next few league fixtures.
Following their FA Cup tie at home to Newcastle, Zola’s men host an out of form Nottingham Forest at St Andrew’s in what could prove to be a huge confidence booster. Forest have been lingering towards the bottom table for a few weeks now, having picked up just one point in their last six games.
The wheels appear to be coming off their season and the Blues could make a huge statement with even the most narrow of victories to get Zola up and running.
Next up comes a trip to Ewood Park to face Blackburn, who despite their recent triumph over the Magpies are still in a precarious position. Their home advantage does not tend to exist these days among their fan base, so a strong away following for the Blues coupled with a competent performance could mean that Zola picks up his first away victory as manager.
Birmingham round off this stretch with a game against Norwich City at Carrow Road and while they did manage to pick up a morale boosting victory over Derby, things are still tenuous at the club. One win does not change everything and Alex Neil is still under some serious pressure, so if Birmingham can come into this game with some momentum then anything is possible.
One thing is for sure, they certainly have the talent at their disposal to steady the ship and it is just a question of whether or not Zola is the man to lead that charge.
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