Keshi Anderson makes 'preference' admission and addresses his Birmingham City future

Keshi Anderson believes he has the quality to become a Birmingham City mainstay after a campaign blighted by injuries and the preferences of a catalogue of managers.

The 29-year-old started Blues’ first eight league games under John Eustace and played his part in the team’s promising early results before a hamstring injury ruled him out for three months. Anderson returned at Christmas time to find Wayne Rooney at the helm and his successor, Tony Mowbray, used other options.

Mowbray was willing to offload Anderson in January to acquire one of his own targets but the winger opted to stay and fight for his place. Anderson wasn’t able to regain his starting berth under Mowbray or Mark Venus but Gary Rowett handed him his first Championship start in almost seven months on Saturday.

Anderson repaid Rowett by forcing Bobby Thomas to put through his own net for the first of three goals Blues registered against Coventry City.

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“The manager puts a lot of faith and trust in the boys and made a few changes to the team,” reflected Anderson. “It was just about going out and doing the job that needed to be done, working hard, running for each other, communicating and having the fight and belief that we could turn up and get a result.”

Anderson found it more challenging to reflect on his own individual campaign. After a long pause, Anderson said: “I don’t know, to be honest. It’s one of those things. We had a change of managers, preference. It’s football.

“I had a similar thing last year (at Blackpool) as well. It can happen and it’s something, as footballers, you have to get on with.

“Managers pick teams that they imagine will win games. We’re in an industry where not everyone can play so it’s just one of those things. I made a few sub appearances from January through till March, then I plucked up a little niggle through March and obviously Gary has come in and decided to change things. It’s just how the game goes really.”

Anderson is among the clutch of senior players out of contract at St Andrew’s in July. The deal Anderson signed last year includes an extension option but he gave no indication as to whether discussions have taken place.

“People view football differently,” he continued. “People will look from the outside and see the qualities that individuals have, personally I feel I am someone who can play week in, week out in this team. I feel like I should have been but everyone in the team must think that.

“In the last three games it’s about getting the wins and making sure that next year we’re a Championship club and whatever happens, happens.”

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