John Ruddy stood up to be counted as ran the rule over the wreckage of Birmingham 's relegation.
The home skipper admitted the squad wasn’t good enough, slammed the ‘self-inflicted’ wound of appointing Wayne Rooney and asking him to play ‘no fear football’ and apologised for the club’s drop into League One.
Ruddy was brutally honest as he dissected the failure to stay in the Championship as results elsewhere on the final day conspired against them. He said: “This was a good performance - but it had to be - because, ultimately, over the course of 46 games the league table doesn’t lie..
“We have failed to deliver consitent performances and this is why we have found ourselves in this position. We didn’t do enough leading up to this game - for example, in the two games previous to this - we are the only team in the league that hasn’t scored against Rotherham so those sort of games where the damage was done.
“I hope everyone is accountable. We are, as players. And I am as an individual. There was a lot of change. Some of the change was enforced, some self-inflicted. I am a firm believer that while an attractive style of play is good, you must have solid foundations to build from.
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“But this does not excuse the fact that we, as a group of players, need to take care of our jobs better. So, I hope everybody who has made those decisions is accountable and takes responsibility.
“I feel for the fans. I’ve been here two years and they have been terrific. They helped us get over the line - and stayed with us even when results weren’t going our way.
Ruddy believes the club's new owners led by Tom Wagner will inspire a new era of success (Cameron Smith)"As a group of players, I would just like to apologise for not being with them throughout the course of the season as well.”
Ruddy is one of a clutch of 13 players who are either out of contract or returning to their parent clubs this summer. The return of permanant boss Tony Mowbray is unclear because of his medical issues and Gary Rowett admitted that he doesn’t expect the call to take over either.
Ruddy added: “Relegation is not something I’ve experienced but it’s a situation the club has found itself in too many times and it is paramount that this is the last of those and a culture of positivity and success because the new normal and standards are set around that.
“The future’s bright. The owners have a plan and a project. Most of us won’t be here to see that come to fruition.
“For me, this club will be in the Premier League within five years. I don’t think it will affect that but they have to have short-term goals as well as long-term vision - that’s the only way you can bring success.”
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