Blues have had three different managers and three interim bosses during a turbulent campaign. John Eustace lasted 11 league games before Knighthead fired him and hired Wayne Rooney who was sacked after nine defeats in 15 matches.
Tony Mowbray provided the rescue act but illness forced him to step aside in mid-February and Blues nosedived under his assistant Mark Venus. Ex-Blues manager Gary Rowett was re-appointed in late March with an eight-game mission to keep the team in the Championship and six points from a possible 15 have been secured.
In an interview with Blues News, Sunjic said, “It’s been a very tough season.” Managing four managers is a challenging situation. We must be sincere and practical. It’s not a typical setting.
“Well, that did happen, so let’s go on. We must continue and achieve the necessary outcomes; we do not want to make excuses. As a squad, we must demonstrate on the pitch that everything around us is moving in the correct path.”
The incessant chopping and shifting has negatively impacted Sunjic’s own performances. Before Rooney tore up their tried-and-true strategy, the Croatian was a mainstay in Eustace’s starting lineup. Sunjic was occasionally useful to Mowbray in his midfield, and the 27-year-old was even given the captaincy after he impressed him with his dedication on the practice pitch.
To some surprise, though, Sunjic had to wait for a chance to play under Rowett. In the Blues’ 3-0 victory over Coventry on Saturday, he was selected for the starting lineup and scored his first goal in two years.
“For me, whether I play one minute or ninety, I always give it my all during that time on the pitch,” he continued. That’s how I believe all of us ought to be. If you work hard and are honest, your benefits will ultimately materialise. I always attempt to play the game the way I see it.
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