'Get rid' - Birmingham City backed to axe 7+ players amid Marc Leonard 'surprise' | OneFootball

FLW exclusively revealed that sweeping changes could be in order at St. Andrew's

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City have been backed to conduct a major squad reshuffle that could see as many as eight players leave St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park between now and the transfer deadline of Monday, February 2nd.

It has been made no secret that Blues are hoping to end what is now a 15-year exile away from the Premier League sooner rather than later, with the first step of Knighthead Capital Management's rebuild completed last season as Chris Davies' side ran away with the League One title in record-breaking fashion.

However, life back in the Championship has been far more chaotic than many had forecast before a ball was kicked, with it being well-documented that the West Midlands side were tipped for a play-off place, at worst, by a large proportion of outsiders and pundits.

Birmingham were certainly in the race to achieve said goals after a marked improvement in results throughout November. However, a run of seven games without victory prior to a much-needed and statement success against runaway second tier leaders, Coventry City, at St. Andrew's on Sunday afternoon, saw the pressure heat up on Davies, although it has been claimed that the 40-year-old is under no pressure in terms of his job security from Tom Wagner.

As such, the Blues manager will continue to oversee critical transfer plans for the coming weeks, with the Second City outfit already setting out their intentions through the recent capture of 28-year-old German left-back, Kai Wagner, from Major League Soccer side, Philadelphia Union.

In the lead-up to, and throughout the opening week of the current winter window, Blues' transfer plans have also been widely reported, with Football League World exclusively revealing in the wake of their latest victory that as many as eight players could see exits sanctioned.

A handful of players namedropped within said revelation have been the subject of previous exit talk, most notably 48-time Scotland international forward, Lyndon Dykes, who has, once again, struggled to pin down a regular spot in the starting lineup, and was completely omitted from Davies' most-recent matchday squad alongside compatriot, Marc Leonard.

However, whilst not all of these deals may come to fruition, it is a set of circumstances that are completely understood by Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore.

Chris Davies backed to conduct major Birmingham City squad reshuffle despite Marc Leonard 'surprise'

As well as the aforementioned Scottish duo, FLW understand that Alfons Sampsted, Willum Willumsson and Keshi Anderson could all depart on a permanent basis, whilst it is expected that Lewis Koumas will see his loan spell from Liverpool reach an early conclusion, following on from the developments which saw Eiran Cashin's temporary stint cut short by Brighton and Hove Albion as he moved to Blues' divisional rivals, Blackburn Rovers.

Dykes has recently become the subject of interest from Charlton Athletic as he hopes to feature in Steve Clarke's World Cup squad, whilst it has been reported that Sheffield United and Norwich City are long-term admirers of Leonard.

Speaking to FLW, Moore admits that he is slightly surprised that the midfielder may be allowed to leave, but admits that changes must be made if Blues are to force their way into promotion contention.

"I think the eight (players) going are probably the right call," said Moore.

"They're probably not quite up to scratch for where the club wants to go. The club have said, plenty of times, they're in a rush to get to the Premier League.

"I don't think I read the report and thought, OK, 'that's a surprise'. The only one that's a bit of a surprise is Marc Leonard," he added.

"That's only because there is a player there. But, I also can't blame him as he's barely played.

"The other seven have been noted, and I'm not surprised whatsoever," Moore stated.

"They're not up to scratch. I think, if you get rid of them, bring better quality in, and see where we finish at the end of the season. If we have to go again next season, so be it.

"I think fair play to the club. They've looked at the squad, they know what the 'deadwood' is, get rid and see what we can do.

"Fingers crossed it goes well. But, it is a push, in a one-month window, to get rid of that many and replace them as prices are so inflated in January.

"The right call for me, and the right players as well, more importantly," he claimed.

Blues have already confirmed two exits, with Emil Hansson also moved off the wage bill on a permanent basis to Excelsior Rotterdam, as well as Cashin's loan being terminated.

It is clear that the seven other names in question remain on the fringes of Davies' best lineup. However, as Moore alluded to, it will be a challenge for the club to conduct such a vast amount of turnover in a short period of time.

The predicaments involving Leonard and Dykes also embody this, as it has been widely claimed that neither player will be allowed to depart unless reinforcements in midfield and attack can be sourced, with it being suggested that Davies is looking at injecting new blood into said areas.