Blues went into the current international break above the relegation zone, but only on goal difference. Only 5 points separate 8 clubs, two of which will be joining Rotherham in dropping into League One in early May. The next 8 games promise to be a relegation shoot-out between those 8 clubs.

The current form table of those 8 teams makes grim reading for Blues fans. Blues are comfortably at the bottom of it, and if this form continues they will be one of the teams making the drop.

However, the display against Watford was much improved compared to the previous game against Middlesbrough. And if Blues can replicate that in the remaining 8 games they should, at least, give themselves a fighting chance of surviving.

In the hope of improving the situation even more, the club has now appointed ex-manager Gary Rowett to take over in an interim role whilst Tony Mowbray continues his recovery from illness. We obviously don’t know for sure when Mowbray will return, although the club has indicated that he will be back for pre-season. But it seems clear that the current interim arrangement with Mark Venus in charge wasn’t working, and it feels unfair to put undue pressure on Mowbray to return whilst he is unwell. So yesterday’s announcement about Rowett, whilst unusual, is probably a good arrangement all round.

One question is what this is likely to mean in terms of playing style?

Looking at this season so far, and splitting it between when John Eustace was in charge with a more defensive approach and the more open style we have played since, we can see that we were more effective in the defensive style

The points return, goals for and goals against per game were all better. So it would be no surprise to see us adopt a ‘tighter’ style for the rest of the season under Rowett.

As far as the run-in is concerned, Blues fixtures are not noticeably more difficult than several of the others in contention for relegation. The table below lists the remaining fixtures for the 8 teams involved. The colour coding shows future opponents as red for those involved in the battle for automatic promotion; amber for everyone involved in the play-off chase; white for those with pretty much nothing left to play for; light green for everyone involved in the relegation struggle; and dark green for Rotherham who, most would probably agree, are virtually relegated already.

Although Blues have to play 4 play-off contenders, all of these games are at home with Cardiff barely in contention anyway and who may not be by the time that fixture comes round. Blues also have an away game at Rotherham who are clearly the worst team in the league. Blackburn’s run-in is the most tricky with them having to play all 4 automatic promotion contenders.

So it’s “Back to the Future” with Gary Rowett and, hopefully, Blues giving it a real go to retain their Championship status.

Neil Cottrell