Birmingham City got their League One campaign off to a start with a 1-1 draw with Reading at St Andrew’s on Saturday. A late penalty scored by Alfie May rescued a point for a Blues team that struggled to create clear cut chances despite having the lion’s share of possession.

regardless of what happens with Stansfield, Blues need to bring in another striker as back up for Alfie May.

As much as Lukas Jutkiewicz is seen as a great player to have around the squad, I think he is at a point in his career where Blues shouldn’t rely on him as any more than a bit-part player and changing room leader.

I’m confident that Blues are in the market for a striker regardless of what happens with Stansfield; however, I’m also very aware that despite the belief of some online it’s not easy to sign a striker as every club wants to have a successful one.

This is particularly true when Blues are looking for players to have the right mentality and physicality; regardless of how much money Blues are willing to throw at a player it can be difficult to get their clubs to part with them.

I think the omission of Jordan James from the team on Saturday speaks volumes about his potential exit but again I do not feel that will be wrapped up quickly.

While Stade Rennais have made an offer, it’s apparent that there are other clubs hovering and I think they will now be forced to show their hands after the Ligue 1 side broke cover with their own bid.

The departure of James would mean that there will be space to bring in another central midfielder in as replacement; hopefully that will have been planned for this summer and Blues can get moving on that deal so that it can be put into place in the immediate aftermath of any move for James.

All this should bring one to the belief that as busy as the last two months have been in the transfer market, the work has not finished yet.

I’m hopeful that many fans feel the same way I do after Saturday; that despite the result not being quite what we hoped for and the ground not being completely finished, there is promise enough for the season ahead.

We’re one point and one goal down – hopefully, we’ve got 99 of each to come.