Birmingham City are a club in crisis – that can easily be argued to a point by looking at the situation that they are in.
The Blues are in a dire position both football-wise and club-wise. On the football front, Birmingham City sit on the fringes of the relegation trapdoor with only goal difference keeping them technically out of the bottom three in the Sky Bet Championship.
On the club front it is a situation fraught with even bigger, potentially insurmountable problems. Earlier this year, before the season started, there were reports that the club had been placed under transfer embargo and were not permitted to sign players.
Many sources reported that the club signed Kristian Pedersen despite knowing that they were under embargo – a fact that didn’t go down too well with the EFL. The EFL released a statement expressing their disappointment at Birmingham’s dealings, the club defending themselves by saying they thought they were under a ‘soft embargo’. Now things are set to get even worse for the Blues.
It is being widely reported that they are to be hit with a 12-point deduction this season – that deduction would almost likely point to relegation this season. Dropping them to -8 points now would tend to indicate that they’d have to perform like a top-half side just to avoid relegation.
It is a situation that not only affects the club, that’s a clear thing to see. It is also a situation that affects the fans, here’s what some fans are saying on Twitter in the aftermath of the news a point deduction could be inbound:
I can see it now #BCFC
◾️12 point deduction
◾️ Go on 30 game unbeaten run
◾️ Finish 12 points off top but nowhere near playoffs
◾️get relegated next season#KRO— Hollo (@hollo1875) September 8, 2018
It’s not bad luck, it’s incompetence from the people running the football club. Only a matter of time before GM leaves, then it’ll be a warzone at Stans. The owners need to get rid of the board and appoint someone competent. @XuandongRen #bcfc https://t.co/3R0loyp6Qs
— Dustin Ackers (@DustinAckers) September 8, 2018
If we broke the FFP rules and there is a penalty for that, then we have to man up and take it. And if @XuandongRen and @Birmingnese lose every single penny in the process, then every cloud…. #BCFC
— James A (@_jams79) September 8, 2018
“I hope #bcfc get a points deduction so #avfc get a bigger one next year” is up there with the most absurd and ridiculous comment I’ve ever seen from a fan about there own club. Forget rivalry, I want BCFC to perform and succeed far more than I want to see the Villa fail! #EFL
— Beno (@benonslow) September 7, 2018
The #EFL are a joke of an organisation. Giving us a 12 point deduction ridiculous and totally out of order. Of course once again the fans have to suffer. Welcome to modern day Football. Whatever happens, Keep Right On. #BCFC #KRO https://t.co/o1GyY1HNCg
— LFTFAndy (@LFTFAndy) September 7, 2018
12 point deduction? Go on then. The only club that could take it and KRO. #BCFC #EFL
— Jo (@joaemp) September 7, 2018
If it’s a 12 point deduction then so be it! We are Birmingham city and we always do things the hard way! #Bcfc #kro
— Deano (@Dean084) September 7, 2018
There is a lot of bravado here from Birmingham City fans, fans showing a degree of stoicism in front of what could be overbearing odds. Time will tell if it is stoicism enough, or whether they need to dig deep and find more.