Whilst the English media have been over-hyping the national side this week before slating them after their exit at the next major tournament, Gary Rowett and co have been preparing for a busy period of Easter fixtures.

The visit of Rotherham on Good Friday and trip to league leaders Bournemouth on Easter Monday will both provide tests, but in very different ways.

Steve Evans’ side are considered one of the more physical sides in the division and will be looking to move eight points above the relegation zone at St. Andrews’.

Blues will need to avoid any complacency going into this fixture, especially after the below par performances against struggling Blackpool and Millwall.

It’s almost tradition at Birmingham to never do anything the easy way. The club’s best moments of the past ten years all seem to include a last minute goal or coming back from an unlikely position.

One of the many traditions at St. Andrews tends to be poor displays against teams they’re expected to beat. The score is goalless after a frustrating half hour and the Bluenoses are already getting on the team’s back.

The important thing will be for the crowd to remain calm if the game isn’t going to plan and remember there is still plenty of time to find a goal. No side in this league has any divine right to beat anyone else- a reason why I feel a positive result could be possible on the South Coast.

Wouldn’t it just be “Typical Blues” if they went to Bournemouth and picked up a win having been hammered by eight goals in the reverse fixture?

A lot has changed since that day in October; only six of the starting side have a real chance of starting again this time around.

There’s been much change with Eddie Howe’s side too, they have gone from the side with an outside chance who were expected to drop off like Brentford have to the club expected to lift the Championship title in May.

Like they showed at St. Andrews’, the Cherries have great confidence and strength going forward so Blues will have to soak up a lot of pressure if they want to get a result.

This could actually work in their favour as they’ve shown in a number of matches under Rowett that their counter-attacking style works well against sides that take the game to them rather than leaving numbers behind the ball.

There are plenty of upsets at this time of the season in every league and it would be a great way to ensure Blues stay clear of a relegation battle with three points at the Goldsands.

New signing Diego Fabbrini is one of a number of Rowett’s side hoping to make an impression ahead of next season in the upcoming fixtures and could be a welcome freshness that the team urgently needs.

The season looks set to end with several dead rubbers and the odd young player given a chance to show their worth, but Fabbrini’s arrival will give the side more impetus heading into the final matches.

Since the turn of the year, Andrew Shinnie has not shown the same form he did in the first couple of months when Rowett took over.

It’s the first time he has had real competition in that “number 10” role and gives Blues more options for change in the upcoming games.

The Italian’s performance against Blues for Millwall is something the Bluenoses will be hoping he can bring with his ability to create chances and find space between the midfield and defensive lines.

What would I consider a successful Easter? An egg-cellent win over Rotherham and avoiding a crucifixion at Bournemouth!

What do you feel Diego Fabbrini can bring to St. Andrews?

How many points should Blues be aiming to pick up at home to Rotherham and away to Bournemouth

By Oliver Osborn