Football Season Guide

Having inexplicably flirted with relegation last season after Gianfranco Zola's surprise appointment and Gary Rowett's even more surprising sacking, Birmingham just about stayed in the Championship after Harry Redknapp was appointed for the last handful of games. Redknapp has now agreed to take charge of the club this term and it is difficult to assess their chances. Redknapp knows this division very well so should be able to get the best out of his players. He missed out on his much-wanted signing of John Terry but still signed Marc Roberts from Barnsley in an impressive capture. Goalkeeper David Stockdale is another eye watering capture after he opted to move to St Andrew's rather than play in the Premier League for the Seagulls. Defensively Birmingham look solid enough but at the time of writing there are doubts whether they have enough going forward to be a real threat at the right end of the table. Birmingham will want to improve their home record as St Andrew's has passionate fans and can be a difficult place for away teams to go if the Blues are playing well. Birmingham could well sell Ryan Shotton after bids were made a week before the season starts. Other new players could still arrive before the end of the transfer window.