The first part in a series set to preview Wanderers' opponents throughout the course of the season
As the start of the 2015/16 Sky Bet Championship draws ever closer, bwfc.co.uk takes a closer look at each one of Bolton Wanderers' 23 opponents. First up, Birmingham City.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Home ground: St Andrew’s Stadium
Capacity: 30,016
Manager: Gary Rowett
2014/15 league position: 10th
2014/15 top goalscorer: Clayton Donaldson (16 in all competitions)
Birmingham City will be hoping to carry on where they left off when the new Sky Bet Championship campaigns kicks off on August 8.
Having flourished under the stewardship of manager Gary Rowett following his appointment in October 2014, Birmingham City ended the 2014/15 campaign with three consecutive victories and just two defeats in eight outings.
After initially struggling for form inside the first few months of last season, the Blues eventually recovered from their difficult start to secure a tenth place berth in the Sky Bet Championship league standings.
Sitting in 21st position on October 20, 2014 and having won just once at home in the league in more than a year, the decision was taken to allow manager Lee Clark to move onto pastures new, with Burton Albion boss and former Birmingham defender Rowett taking over the reins at St. Andrew’s just a week later.
The decision to link up with the former Derby County man has undoubtedly reaped dividends so far, while the Blues boss wasted no time in stamping his mark on the team by releasing eight players following the season’s conclusion.
With long-serving goalkeeper Colin Doyle heading the club’s released list, Callum Reilly, Will Packwood, Olly Lee, Matt Green, Gavin Gunning, Nikola Zigic and Kamal Guthmy have all also left the Midlands outfit..
Having banished their home woes by recording ten victories at St. Andrew’s in Sky Bet Championship action following Rowett’s arrival, Birmingham will be eager to push on and replicate their form as the new season gets underway in just under two months' time.
FIXTURES v BOLTON 2015/16
Tuesday 20 October 2015: 8pm kick off at Macron Stadium
Tuesday 23 February 2016: 7.45pm kick off at St Andrew’s
RESULTS v BOLTON 2014/15
Birmingham City 0-1 Bolton Wanderers – 18/10/2014
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Birmingham City – 2/5/2015