Lee Bowyer is under growing pressure to turn things around at Birmingham with doubts emerging about his position.
Birmingham slumped to a 6-2 defeat at Championship leaders Fulham on Tuesday and are languishing in 18th after winning just one of their last 10 league games.
They were also knocked out of the FA Cup at home last week by League One Plymouth.
Lee Bowyer is under growing pressure in his role as manager of Birmingham due to their form
At the same time, Bowyer has publicly voiced his frustration and disappointment at the lack of resources made available to improve Birmingham’s fortunes and that what has transpired is very different to what he was promised when he was appointed in March.
Bowyer did a remarkable job to keep Birmingham in the Championship last season when he succeeded Aitor Karanka with the club staring at relegation.
Yet the manager was understood to have been disappointed at the level of backing he received during the summer, when Blues did not pay a fee for a player or hang on to some of those Bowyer wanted to keep.
Other targets moved elsewhere. Meanwhile he has been forced to rely heavily on loan signings and free agents to bolster his squad.
Hometown hero Troy Deeney arrived to much fanfare in August yet the striker’s signing is thought to have been a decision made by the club rather than explicitly requested by the manager.
Bowyer’s Birmingham were thrashed 6-2 by Fulham in the Championship earlier this week
While no change is thought to be imminent, Sportsmail understands a tentative enquiry was made recently for a manager of one of their Championship rivals, an indication that Birmingham are beginning to consider their options.
Even though Blues have endured a poor recent run of form they are still nine points clear of the relegation zone.
There was also mitigation in losing to a Fulham side who scored at least six goals for the third game running and Bowyer described as ‘a different animal to my team’ and ‘the best team we’ve played by a long way.’
But Birmingham’s next three games are against Barnsley, Peterborough and Derby – current occupiers of the bottom three – and an upturn in results and performances will be expected.
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