"Jealous" claim made as rival fans ridicule Tom Wagner's Birmingham City rally cry at Wrexham | OneFootball

FLW's Birmingham City fan pundit has addressed the backlash to the owner's speech at half-time of the Wrexham game

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 owner Tom Wagner came under fire over the weekend after a video surfaced online of him delivering a rallying cry to the Birmingham City fans at halftime of their game against Wrexham on Friday night.

Wagner was filmed telling the Birmingham fans to be more energetic and loud, and the team, who were 1-0 down at the time, would "feed off of their energy."

Evidently, it seemed to work, as the Blues took just 20 seconds after the restart to level through Patrick Roberts, and had the majority of the momentum in the latter stages, without finding that winning goal.

However, rival fans haven't taken to this well at all, ridiculing him and branding his speech "embarrassing."

Jason Moore, FLW's Birmingham fan pundit, has swatted away this criticism, however, believing that the owner's support is unlike any other, and he has earned the right to do whatever he wants in the away end, given his financial support of the club.

Birmingham City fan pundit endorses Tom Wagner's passionate halftime speech

Speaking to Football League World, Moore believed that the only reason opposition fans are ridiculing Tom Wagner for his rallying cry at Wrexham is because he is American, and because they are jealous that their owner isn't as invested in the club as theirs is.

"Honestly, if he didn't have the American accent, and he was just from the UK, let's say he was a Brummie, no one would have a problem with it, and I think a lot of it stems from jealousy," he said.

"How many owners are in the away end with fans? Taking in what football's about and enjoying it with the fanbase? So what if he gives a little speech?

"Don't get me wrong, I watched it, and it was a little cringy, but just because of the American accent. You get rid of that and people aren't batting an eyelid."

Evidently, Tom Wagner is one of the most invested owners in football currently, engaging in the football culture and looking to improve the city of Birmingham itself, as shown through the plans to build a £3 billion sports quarter in the future.

"I just think people are jealous, because they'd die for an owner like that," Moore continued.

"Ask Sheffield Wednesday fans which they'd rather have — Chansiri, who isn't even in the country because his face can't be seen at the ground, or an owner who is building a future for the football club? I know what they'd rather have.

"So it's absolutely ridiculous, and pure jealousy. With the amount of money he's pumping into the club, the geezer's about to build a £3 billion sports quarter, so he can do what he wants!

"So it stems from jealousy and because he's got an American accent," Moore reiterated. "People might find it cringy, including myself, but you know what? Crack on, Mr Wagner, do what you want."

Tom Wagner's commitment is refreshing to see at Birmingham City

Whilst it may seem very unnecessary for Wagner to issue a passionate rallying cry to his own fanbase, some, including Birmingham fans, find it refreshing, and the unconventionality of the owner being in with the fans in the way end just reaffirms his commitment to the club.

There, he's able to engage in conversation with the ordinary fan about the state of the club currently, their ambitions and his thoughts on the season so far, which, as Moore alluded to, not many fans of other teams get to experience.

A committed owner is something which all fans expect and dream of, but Tom Wagner is going above and beyond to establish a personal relationship and improve the city of Birmingham outside the football club, too.

So, whilst the speech was very Americanised, and not something that an English owner may do, being in the crowd isn't something that many owners do at all anyway, regardless of nationality.

And that relationship is something which many opposition fans hope they can have with their owners someday.