Football Season Guide

Just like their great second city rivals Aston Villa, Birmingham City start the campaign with plenty of uncertainty. Boss Garry Monk, who came in late in the campaign, did just enough to secure the Blues' safety but it appears likely to be far more difficult this time around with a poor summer so far. There have been rumours of a transfer embargo caused by the excesses of last summer. Indeed that has now been addressed with Birmingham allowed to sign five new players maximum, not that many have been forthcoming. So far only Kristian Pedersen, a defender from Union Berlin, has arrived with Checick Keita, Robert Tesche and Jason Lowe all departing St Andrew's. Another in the shape of key goalkeeper David Stockdale has been made available for transfer. Stockdale is one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper in the Championship but his high wages are one of the reasons he can leave the club. A lack of goals last term were a big problem and so far Monk has not addressed that aspect - one wonders if he has even been in the position to look at it. This is a big season for Monk who has not always delivered in his short managerial career so far. But factors outside of his control could upset him. Birmingham's long-suffering fans deserve far better than what they have been experiencing recently but at the moment there is still no light at the end of the tunnel.