Tony Mowbray’s appointment was met with great anticipation from Blues fans in January. A seasoned Championship manager with a record of, at best, promotion and, at worst, safety and stability in the second tier. He was also, through no fault of his own, afforded extra credit as the successor to the deeply unpopular Wayne Rooney, whose tenure was characterised by acrimony and despair. He was welcomed as a saviour, the fresh start needed after the bitterness of Rooney’s short reign.

Perhaps the deep lows experienced under his predecessor meant that the optimism surrounding his arrival was exaggerated. Anyone but Rooney would’ve been popular among supporters. Mowbray, a reputable name, was more than just anyone. There was a palpable sense of relief and hope around the club even before his first game in charge – at home to Swansea.

The match itself was promising, yet not groundbreaking. His principles were evident immediately: a high-pressing, high-tempo style built around possession football. The 95th minute equaliser scored by Jordan James was an apt way to start the Mowbray era – a manager known for developing and promoting youth. Two wins followed, and morale was high.

A 3-0 FA Cup defeat against high-flying Leicester was not of grave concern, though the subsequent two losses were. A derby loss at The Hawthorns and an unhappy trip to Hillsborough where the Blues were bested by a struggling Sheffield Wednesday. Back to back home wins against Blackburn and Sunderland respectively averted a crisis stemming from a considerable downwards turn in form. 

Then, two days after a win against his former employers, Sunderland, it was announced that Mowbray would be stepping away from his role temporarily to receive medical treatment. The details of which, understandably, are unknown to the public. Well wishes flooded in for the 60 year old, no one is to refute that his health should take priority over his career. The hope of all football fans is that Mowbray’s treatment will be successful and he can return to St. Andrews healthy.

Yet the situation leaves the Blues in a precarious position. They fell to a 3-1 defeat at Portman Road in the game following the announcement, though there is no shame in losing to Kieran McKenna’s impressive side. Assistant manager Mark Venus will hold the post of caretaker manager until Mowbray’s return. Venus has long been Mowbray’s trusted number two, following him to all of his clubs since Hibernian in 2004. There is no one better acquainted with Mowbray’s principles, methods and character than the current caretaker manager.

This should, hopefully, ensure that the Blues do not suffer a dip in performance levels under Venus’ stewardship. Operations may not be quite as efficient as with Mowbray, but they should be enough to keep the team’s form afloat. The club currently sit 19th, a solitary point above the red zone. It is, undoubtedly, precarious. Blues fans will be willing Mowbray to return to the dugout just as they were on that wintry afternoon in January when he first arrived.

Birmingham may not progress much during the period, the timing of the situation means Mowbray’s principles and methods are unlikely to have been fully explored and absorbed by the squad. His return will see a resumption of the journey to becoming a fully-fledged Mowbray-led team. Achieving this ‘final form’ should see an uptick in results, as it did when Sunderland reached the playoffs last season.

In the meantime, there may be a sense that the Blues are treading water, simply staying afloat until normal service resumes. But what is paramount is that Mr. Mowbray’s treatment is successful and he returns to Wast Hills healthy, ready to revitalise the mood around St. Andrews.

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