If Lee Bowyer had been offered eighth position ahead of the first international break, the Birmingham manager would have accepted without much hesitation.
However, despite the bulk of their goals this season coming in the same match, there are signs that there is more to come from his Blues squad.
Emerging as contenders for promotion would be regarded as a bonus after the struggles of the past few years, but they are now one of a number of teams who have the potential to feature in the playoff race.
Three clean sheets have been kept in five matches, their solitary defeat coming at home to a Bournemouth side who will expect to challenge the likes of Fulham and West Bromwich Albion.
Nevertheless, Birmingham will eventually need to find more consistency in the final third, an issue which could have been solved with the shrewd addition of Troy Deeney.
Giving their ongoing turbulent period off the pitch, Wayne Rooney is another manager who can be satisfied with his team’s work throughout August.
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Even though there is a feeling of what could have been after shipping late goals to Peterborough United and Nottingham Forest, six points from five games is a respectable return.
The Rams have a daunting run of fixtures ahead of them, the trip to Birmingham being followed by a showdown with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
While staying away from the relegation zone will be Rooney’s main aim right now, the England legend knows that progress can be made up the table if his ageing backline continue to roll back the years
