The flow of transfers may be bothersome, but Birmingham City must make major moves

It’s understandable if Rotherham United are sending waves around League One because of how active they have been in the early stages of this transfer window. Securing the services of 34-year-old Liam Kelly on a free transfer on Friday meant they have now completed seven free transfers already – and we’ve only just reached June.

Steve Evans, back at the New York Stadium, is gone. Replacing Leam Richardson and tasked with overseeing an overhaul befitting a team chasing promotion to the Championship at the first attempt (for the umpteenth time), Evans – who is well-respected at this level and can attract a certain caliber of players – had time advantage on his side.

With Birmingham City fighting for their Championship until the final whistle on the final day, Evans walked into an already relegated club who knew the pitch. In a transfer sense, they managed to hit the ground running and then some. They have taken players from promotion hopefuls, from clubs that have just been promoted and, in Kelly’s case, players who need security later in their careers.

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The Blues, by comparison, didn’t know they would be in League One until just under a month ago. Since then, there has been uncertainty about the managerial situation. Just weeks after relegation, the Blues have been able to confirm that Tony Mowbray will not be returning to his post due to ill health. You can apportion the blame to different numbers and the different reasons that conspired to leave the Blues in the third tier. Clearly, Mowbray’s situation is not one.

That put them on the back foot. After last season’s turmoil and the costly appointment of Wayne Rooney, the Blues must exercise due diligence and caution when deciding to hire a manager. Only once they have overcome this obstacle will they then be able to face the considerable rebuilding process that awaits them.

While Rotherham are busy with free agents – incidentally, only two of their seven new arrivals are under the age of 29 – the Blues, you’d imagine, are after a certain profile of player. The transfer window often comes at this time of year, so Rotherham can be applauded for going about their business as they see fit ahead of the pre-season campaign. Recruiting in a flurry has its advantages, clearly.

However, an honest question must be asked. Of the seven players – previously at Burton, Northampton, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday – how many could Blues supporters have hoped to see at St Andrew’s this summer? The work, as I mentioned, is a vast one. The Blues need at least two goalkeepers, at least two centre-forwards, at least two centre-halves and at least one full-back. Then you have to consider the sales that will follow.

As of now, however, they have three whole months to complete their deal. Usually, as is the nature of the transfer window, clubs very, very rarely have their business done and dusted by the start of the new season. Such is the extent of the recruitment process, the Blues can expect to be busy until August. Could it benefit Rotherham in the long term? Time will tell.

The Millers were effectively run off the field to be competitive but financially sound. The strategy has its limits. The club is following its fifth promotion from the third tier in 11 seasons. They’ve been very successful in this division historically when it comes to reaching the Championship, but they rarely hold their own when they get there. For the Blues, under Knighthead’s ambition, their aspirations are higher.

It’s dangerous to think they could return immediately without any element of discomfort, but once they have their manager in place, you can expect the profile of the player watching out the door to reflect those long-term goals. The Blues will most likely spend this summer shopping at a supermarket other than busy Rotherham, which must be respected as a promotional fantasy, but first thing’s first – get the man through the door to drive the shopping.

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