Millwall boss on ‘reinvigorated’ Birmingham City and comments on on-loan Fulham attacker linked with Lions
Gary Rowett has described his former club Birmingham City as “reinvigorated” ahead of Millwall’s trip there tomorrow.
Seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady is a minority owner in the Blues, with US-based Shelby Companies Limited holding a controlling stake since the middle of July.
Birmingham are third in the Championship table, one of four clubs on 10 points.
“They have started really positively under John (Eustace) and the team looks reinvigorated from last season,” said Rowett, who had 106 matches as Birmingham boss before being sacked in December 2016.
“They look a little more energetic and have made some good signings. I’m sure their fans will be saying they had been looking for a change of ownership for a while now.
“There is a feel-good factor with Tom Brady linking himself to the club and being part of what they are doing.
“So of course there is going to be that positivity around the place – which is great to see. It’s a good club and one I spent a lot of time at, as a player and as a manager. It’s nice to see them moving in a better direction.
“It will be a tough game but we’ve shown we can match any team if we do the right things, that’s what we’ll be looking to do early on.”
Millwall were linked with Fulham striker Jay Stansfield before the 20-year-old joined Birmingham last Thursday.
Stansfield, who signed a new long-term contract with the Whites before being allowed to make a temporary exit, produced a spectacular 95th-minute strike to earn victory over Plymouth at the weekend.
Asked about if Millwall were in the mix for Stansfield, Rowett said: “Our recruitment team have a list of players, it is difficult for me to comment on every player we are linked with and how real that is. He’s a good young player and he has made a good start to life at Birmingham.
“It is what it is, we haven’t signed him and Birmingham have. They’ve made a good start with him.”
Casper de Norre (back) remains a doubt. The Belgian midfielder has missed the last two matches.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD