Relegation-threatened Birmingham are still feeling the "traumatic" effects of Carson Yeung's failed takeover of the club, according to chairman David Gold.
Blues could be relegated to the Championship after their home clash with Blackburn on Sunday as they battle with Reading and Fulham to avoid the remaining two places in the Premier League drop zone.
And Gold concedes that the protracted negotiations with Hong Kong businessman Yeung, which ultimately ended fruitlessly and contributed in part to the departure of Steve Bruce to Wigan, have not helped the team's cause.
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"I think we made mistakes as a board allowing the takeover to drag on some three months," he told Sky Sports News.
"I can recall the headlines in the local papers - 'Birmingham City in turmoil', 'Birmingham City in crisis'.
"It wasn't quite as bad as that but I have to say there were difficult times.
"Of course, losing Steve Bruce at a critical time - when he left to go to Wigan - these are not easy times for a football club.
"To be involved in a takeover bid and to lose your manager - you almost have to start over again.
"The takeover bid collapsed. That in itself was traumatic."
But despite the grim news potentially awaiting City fans at the weekend that has not dampened Gold's enthusiasm over Bruce's successor - former Rangers and Scotland boss Alex McLeish.
"There was one silver lining from all those difficult times. The one redeeming feature was that we brought in Alex McLeish and his backroom staff and I think they are an exceptional team.
"It takes time for people to settle into a new job - but that has been the silver lining in an extremely difficult season."
