England's post-Kane era finally looks far more rosy

It's too easy for Mayra Ramirez! Clinical Chelsea are looking ominous

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Santos, Doak & eight best Premier League loanees of the season

Saudi Arabia or MLS beckons for Pogba after Juve release

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Amorim told he's already made his first mistake at Man Utd

Kroos opens door to Real Madrid return 

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Rooney issued rallying cry to his players</li><li>Five points from 27 for Rooney's side</li><li>Popular John Eustace replaced by new ownership </li></ul>

Wayne Rooney insists Birmingham must ‘roll our sleeves up and dig in’ as Tom Brady’s Championship side suffer eighth straight away defeat against Coventry

League One

Shrewsbury

Birmingham

Rooney's side slipped to a 2-0 defeat away to Midlands rivals Coventry City on Friday night. Since the Manchester United legend was appointed boss by the new American consortium, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/naive-tom-brady-lessons-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-wrexham-birmingham-exited-wayne-rooney-appointment/blt6aef6c7f16997b2e#cse8cda78768f0c72f" target="_blank">fronted by minority owner and NFL great, Tom Brady</a>, the Blues have earned a measly five points from a possible 27. The Blues sit in 16th place in the Championship and, should this form continue, look perilously close to falling into a relegation battle.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Rooney said: "It's disappointing. It's frustrating but we have to roll our sleeves up. We have to dig in. We are going through a difficult period, we know that. But we have to dig in and stick together to pick up more points."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">"We have to start picking up results. It's as simple as that" Wayne Rooney says Birmingham City have to 'dig in' after a difficult period 🎙️ <a href="https://t.co/hwvQE31nQC">pic.twitter.com/hwvQE31nQC</a>— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1733252472393626100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WHAT ROONEY SAID

Birmingham have tumbled down the table since Rooney <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-legend-wayne-rooney-told-hasn-t-earned-birmingham-city-job-tom-brady-mistake-ditching-john-eustace/bltf9c993e8ccdb356d" target="_blank">was surprisingly appointed as the new boss </a>at St. Andrews in October. Popular manager John Eustace had guided Birmingham to sixth in the table and into the hunt for the playoffs before he was replaced. Now, any hope of promotion has been snuffed out and avoiding relegation appears the very best Blues fans can hope for.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The new American ownership consider Rooney as part of their long-term project at Birmingham. However, few would be surprised if his time in the dugout is cut short. Looking devoid of ideas and inspiration, the Blues may dip into the transfer market in January - whether Rooney is still in charge remains to be seen.

WHAT NEXT FOR BIRMINGHAM?

Wayne Rooney insists Birmingham must ‘roll our sleeves up and dig in’ as Tom Brady’s Championship side suffer eighth straight away defeat against Coventry | Goal.com

Birmingham City boss Wayne Rooney has attempted to rally his struggling players after defeat to Coventry spelled their eighth away loss in succession.