Thursday 24 July 2014 17:44, UK
Mitchell Hancox is backing Birmingham City's new arrivals to make an immediate impact and improve the club's fortunes.
Lee Clark’s side struggled in the Sky Bet Championship last season, with safety only secured in dramatic fashion in the closing moments on the final day.
Inevitable changes over the summer have drastically altered the look of the St Andrew’s squad, with experienced figures such as Nikola Zigic and Chris Burke heading through the exits.
There have, however, been nine new arrivals, with many of those coming in seasoned performers in the Football League.
They have been added to a group of promising youngsters, including Hancox, and there is a feeling around the camp that things will be considerably better in 2014/15.
I’d be surprised if we struggled again. I think we will have a lot better season than we did last season
“Yes, definitely. There are nine new faces, nine new characters,” academy graduate Hancox told the Birmingham Mail.
“You have to get used to how they play, what their strengths and weaknesses are, of course.
“But also they didn’t go through all that last season, they don’t have that memory.
“It’s not like we have got some dead wood from last year. It is a new, fresh squad who are all willing to play for the badge and give everything for the team.
“I’d be surprised if we struggled again. I think we will have a lot better season than we did last season.”
Hancox added on the changes Birmingham fans can expect to see this season: “The personnel who have come in, they bring quality to us and a different style of play.
“Instead of going up to the big man (Zigic) we have got Clayton Donaldson, who can go in behind or show for the ball as well.
“And there’s Wes Thomas and Matt Green – we missed his pace – who is coming back from injury.
“David Cotterill is good with the ball at his feet. He’s a tricky winger. It’s the same with Mark Duffy. They are difficult to contain and can play either side.
“And what I have noticed in training is that they don’t always try and beat their man. If they have got a chance to play the ball and play it simple, they will. That is good because you are getting other people into the game.
“I think we have got a lot of alternatives so that we can do really well.”
