Steve Cotterill determined to win over disenchanted Birmingham fans

Posted Sunday, February 25, 2018 by PA

Steve Cotterill vowed he would not bow to pressure after a bruising defeat to Barnsley but would guide Birmingham out of trouble at the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship.

The Birmingham manager came in for heavy criticism from home fans after the 2-0 defeat, with many chanting: “We want Cotterill out.”

Cotterill, Birmingham’s third manager in the last 15 months, said: “I’ve been bashed on the head so many times this season. It’s a hard job trying to get the team to gel.”

He added: “You get nothing by throwing your players under the bus. I would rather stand strong and protect them from taking any flak. It would only make them worse and make my job even more difficult.

“I am going to remain thoroughly professional and take the stick if it keeps it away from the players who are not as confident as they were a month ago.

“We never got going against Barnsley and the players appeared frightened playing at home. The opposition were fully aware of this fact and we were obviously fearful.

“I understand the fans’ frustration. The team has not been winning for a long time. It is not just under me. I am copping the flak for everything that has gone on before.

“It’s the first time I’ve had this sort of problem with the fans but that is not bad when you consider I’ve been doing the job for 21 years.”

When Birmingham sacked Gary Rowett in December 2016 they were in seventh position and challenging for promotion, but after turbulent spells under the management of Gianfranco Zola and Harry Redknapp, and now Cotterill, they sit in 22nd place.

The writing was on the wall against Barnsley when Oli McBurnie scored twice – despite missing a penalty – in the first half.

Barnsley’s shock win gives them hope of salvaging a Championship place and their new manager Jose Morais was impressed as his charges climbed out of the bottom three.

Morais said: “I am delighted with the win, the performance and attitude of my players.

“I am expecting many surprises from my players as I am a positive person. I believe in their quality, I believe in them and I believe that they can do so much more.

“I do not think about relegation. There are a lot of games to be played and we will win enough games.

“This result was important and the win over Birmingham is a big motive to celebrate.”