Alex Dicken’s latest Birmingham City notebook features Tom Brady, Lee Buchanan and Wayne Rooney on the St Andrew’s atmosphere
Birmingham City investor Tom Brady on his visit to St Andrew’s
Tom Brady attended Wayne Rooney’s pre-match meeting before the Rotherham draw as part of his visit to Birmingham City’s training ground.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion acquired a minority stake in August after Knighthead took control of the club. He attended the 1-0 win over Leeds United on August 12 and touched down in the Second City for a second time last week.
Brady, 46, visited the Elite Performance and Innovation Centre in Henley-in-Arden on Friday to meet with Rooney for the first time in person since he became Blues manager. Rooney welcomed Brady with open arms and encouraged him to converse with the players.
“Tom was around all the players and speaking to them, it was great to have him over,” said Rooney. “He was speaking to them individually and he came in and sat in my meeting, which was great. The more he’s here the better from our point of view. It was great to have him and Tom Wagner over.”
Buchanan boost Blues’ centre-back options
Rooney might not be able to avoid shaking things up at centre-back much longer. Emanuel Aiwu was given a reprieve by Rooney to start the Rotherham match after his disastrous display against Blackburn.
The Austrian struggled again and needed to be bailed out by defensive partner Dion Sanderson after a calamitous back-pass gifted a gilt-edged chance to Oliver Rathbone.
With Kevin Long injured and out-of-favour, the natural alternative to Aiwu is Marc Roberts. Roberts hasn’t started a Championship game all season, but he has made three appearances off the bench under Rooney.
Lee Buchanan is another option for Rooney. Buchanan played 30 minutes at centre-back against Blackburn after Rooney hooked Aiwu and Blues were better for it.
Buchanan commented: “If he wants me to play centre-back I’m more than happy to play there. I enjoy it as well, so I’m more than happy to play there.”
Rooney: Blues need to excite fans
The atmosphere inside St Andrew’s has become a talking point in recent weeks. The Blues hierarchy are looking at ways to improve it, but Rooney accepts that the on-field product is the most important element.
“At home we have to give the fans something to cheer about,” he said. “We had a couple of shots towards the end (of the Rotherham game) and the fans get up and they are singing and then you create an atmosphere.
“Then it becomes a bit more intimidating for the opposition. But we can’t expect fans to come here and just get behind the team when we are not showing them stuff.
“It is the entertainment business. We have to entertain the fans to get back support and what that creates is a very difficult place to come and play.”
