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Birmingham City’s season is far from over as they chase a play-off spot, but manager Garry Monk already knows what his biggest difficulty was and how he has overcome it, speaking to bcfc.com following a year at St Andrew’s.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 39-year-old celebrated 12 months in charge of the Blues this week, and it has certainly been full of ups-and-downs.

The transfer embargo issues have certainly been a negative, but the Midlands club have been much improved on the pitch and given the fans something to shout about – they lie just four points short of the top six with 11 fixtures left to play this term.

Speaking to bcfc.com, Monk said: “I just felt a really good feeling with the players, the staff and the fans coming off the end of last season.

“The most important bit was connecting it all back together again and putting a much more positive feeling around the Club.

“For me, when I get to the end of this season, that’s been the biggest success because that’s a very difficult thing to do.”

Is he right?

He certainly is.

The former Leeds United boss has created a feel-good factor at St Andrew’s that had long been dwindling as the team flirted with relegation, and he has got players such as Che Adams performing at a really high level.

While the 2-0 defeat against Hull City last time out was disappointing and affected their momemtum in the race to secure a top-six finish, Monk has the opportunity to become even more of a hero and mark his year at the helm in style when Birmingham host Aston Villa in the second city derby this weekend.