Wayne Rooney insists his door is always open for Birmingham City’s players to discuss football and non-football matters.
The new Blues manager has encouraged his players to speak to him about any issues they have - including those that exist away from the first team bubble in Henley-in-Arden. Rooney recently admitted to struggling with a drink problem in the early part of his playing career before reaching out for help.
He now wants to ensure none of his players bottle up their emotions. “I’m a coach who is very open with the players,” said Rooney. “I want the players to come to me if there’s any issues.
“Firstly, if they are not playing I always explain to them why they are not playing. Any issues off the pitch as well, my door is always there for the players to come in and speak about that.
“I knew I had got to a point where I had to speak to someone and I did. That has been a massive help to me in my career and it’s something I would advise the young players to do now.”
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Blues’ Bacuna concern
Juninho Bacuna appeared to pick up an injury during Curacao’s 1-1 draw with El Salvador in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The Blues midfielder was substituted in the 77th minute after a collision with an El Salvador player.
While Bacuna isn’t expected to start against Sheffield Wednesday due to his international exertions, Rooney will be hoping the 26-year-old has avoided serious injury. Bacuna has started three of the four games under Rooney that he has been available for.
Blues can ill-afford another injury with Kevin Long, Lee Buchanan, Keshi Anderson, Tyler Roberts and Alfie Chang all out of action. Ethan Laird and George Hall have only just returned after respective hamstring problems.
Powell swayed by Knighthead’s ambition
The arrival of Hope Powell in the summer was one of many statement appointments made by Blues’ new owners Knighthead. Powell, 56, has enjoyed 15 years managing England women and a five-year spell at Brighton in her coaching career.
She has taken a step back from coaching to become technical director of Blues women and oversaw an impressive summer recruitment drive backed by Knighthead. After a difficult start to the season under head coach Darren Carter, Blues women have won seven of their last eight matches and are in the mix for promotion back to the Women’s Super League at the halfway stage.
Explaining why she joined Blues and her role behind-the-scenes, Powell told Blues TV: “I really believe that with the investment of the owners, and the ambition of the owners, that this club is definitely on the rise again. Knowing you have that backing and support - and this is club-wide - really makes me want to be part of it. The ambition of the owners and where they see women’s football at Birmingham was so appealing.
“I have to stress that I’m not on the grass. I look at the women’s game, that’s the academy and the first team. I look at our younger age groups. All from a wider lens. I play that support role and make sure they have the support in place so they can just worry about what happens on the pitch.”
