Gary Rowett is acutely aware of the significance of Birmingham City’s upcoming match against Huddersfield Town next weekend. After Sheffield Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers on Sunday, Blues slipped back into the relegation zone, currently sitting in 22nd place.
This makes their encounter with the team directly beneath them in the Championship standings a pivotal one, as it’s their second-to-last game of the season.
A win for Birmingham City would relegate Huddersfield before the final day and significantly enhance their chances of remaining in the Championship. However, there’s also a scenario where Blues could face relegation if they lose to the Terriers and other results don’t favor them.
“I don’t think you can get any bigger at this stage of the season,” Rowett remarked following his team’s 0-0 draw with already-relegated Rotherham. “Every game is crucial. Every game is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
“Our focus is on winning the next game, plain and simple. We need to analyze where we could have performed better against Rotherham. Next week brings a different challenge. We must show quality and bravery to overcome a physically strong opponent.”
Gary Rowett brings a wealth of experience, having spent the past decade in the Championship, making him no stranger to relegation battles. Birmingham City has collected seven points from his six matches in charge, and he is resolute in guiding the club across the finish line.
“I’ll continue doing what I’ve done for the last 500 games of my managerial career,” Rowett affirmed. “It’s about identifying areas for improvement and putting in the hard work to make things right. There’s no magic solution; it’s about continuous effort.”
“Getting four points from two games with two clean sheets isn’t bad on paper, but every match now feels like a must-win,” he added.
For more insights and discussions on Birmingham City’s journey, tune in to the Keep Right On podcast hosted by Brian Dick and Alex Dicken, available weekly on all major streaming platforms throughout the 2023/24 Championship season.