Connor Southwell delivers his Birmingham verdict after Norwich City's final day defeat at St Andrew's. 

1 - A date with destiny 

Whoever Norwich City were going to face in the play-offs, it was going to be dripping in a whole load of narrative. 

Would it be a once play-off winning captain or a former two-time title winner? Now we know it will be Daniel Farke's Leeds United. 

Park the obvious Norwich connection, this is a daunting prospect irrespective of the form Farke's Whites head into the promotion shootout with. A defeat against Russell Martin's Southampton saw them finish six points behind promoted Ipswich. 

They must now re-group and re-focus ahead of their trip to Carrow Road next Sunday, before a second leg at Elland Road on Thursday, May 16. 

Farke's side won both contests against City in the regular campaign, with a 3-2 victory at Carrow Road preceding a 1-0 win at Elland Road.

Those fond of history will remember that Norwich failed to beat Middlesbrough in the regular campaign before that famous Wembley final in 2015. Insert your cliches about form books exiting via the nearest window here. 

Norwich head into the play-offs having won one of their last five. They will need to find more if they want to edge past a side who have finished 17 points ahead of them. 

But with individual quality in their ranks, some of which Wagner opted to withdraw in the second half, they know they can edge games which are played on fine margins. They will also need to find solutions to halting Championship player of the season Crysencio Summerville and co. 

It won't be easy. But winning promotion never is. They have a ticket. The way they've played since the turn of the year, who would bet against them? They have to go for it. 

It may be a reunion with Farke, but it is also a date with destiny. Bring it on. 

2 - Flat ending 

Fireworks met the player's arrival onto the pitch. Tom Wagner, Birmingham's new US owner, seemed intent on shaking the hand of every supporter as he paced around St Andrew's prior to kick-off. The intensity and nervousness were palpable upon driving into the Second City. 

That intensity was taken into a contest that everyone in blue and white knew they needed to win. Norwich had to ride waves of pressure and ride their luck at points. The Blues did what was required - but results elsewhere saw them succumb to the drop. 

A surreal pitch invasion played out after the full time whistle. Some supporters slumped into their seat long after the events had concluded to process what had happened. They say grief effects everyone in different ways - that was true come full time in the Midlands. Birmingham did what they needed to do - so too did Norwich. 

The energy was sapped out of the crowd after the winning goal as the results elsewhere trickled into the stadium - there was even fake news of a crucial goal being spread and celebrations in the home end followed. 

This was an off-colour performance, in line with so many that have followed Norwich on their travels this season. They were disjointed, limited in attacking areas, and seemed to have their minds elsewhere throughout the majority of the match. 

Instead of bouncing into the play-offs with momentum, they have pulled themselves over the line. It will take the levels seen to edge past Ipswich, Coventry and Hull to overcome Leeds over two legs. 

But this was not an afternoon where Norwich's focus was on today. It was all about their footballing tomorrow. 

That same flatness won't be seen at Carrow Road next Sunday. It will be raucous. It will be full of colour. It will an occasion for the ages. Norwich have to ensure they play their part. 

This is a defeat that they can shake off quickly, unlike their hosts - after all, Norwich have significantly bigger battles to come. 

3 - Falling flat

The decision to push Marcelino Nunez closer to Sargent had an adverse effect on Norwich's work in possession, leading to a first-half display that looked disjointed and lacking in attacking intent. 

With Sara inverting and Stacey providing the width, Birmingham sensed an opportunity to target the space behind City's right back. That was the source of a few of the hosts' opportunities in the opening period. 

Nunez has been metronomic for the Canaries in a deeper role alongside player of the season winner Kenny McLean. It has led to the Chilean's most consistent and impressive performances since his arrival in England. 

Ashley Barnes and Christian Fassnacht's injury setbacks forced Wagner into shuffling his pack, but with Jon Rowe on the bench and continuing to make progress, eyebrows were raised at the decision to push Nunez up the pitch. 

With McLean not at the races and Sorensen offering a different skillset than Nunez's technical proficiency, Norwich were left either squandering possession or were forced into an aimless longer ball forward. 

After Seung-Ho Paik somehow arched his neck to make contact with Keshi Anderson's deflected effort to give Birmingham the lead they so desperately required, Wagner pushed Rowe onto the pitch and dropped Nunez back into his natural position. 

In truth, Norwich never recovered. John Ruddy was forced into just two stops throughout the contest - both efforts from Nunez - with City limited to very little in front of goal. 

With Barnes out for the play-offs, City have to find a solution to that particular conundrum. Without him, the balance of the side does look off. 

4 - From marathon to sprint

One cliche that surrounds the Championship is that its gruelling 46-game season is comparable to a marathon. 

If that was the case, Norwich were blowing in the first quarter, at risk of getting left behind - but they've produced a strong finish to keep pace and even overtake several top six challengers with their consistent and strong conclusion. 

They raced past Coventry, left Hull in their trail, and even shoulder-barged Preston aside in their quest to tee up a shoot-out for Premier League promotion. 

David Wagner has had to fight his own personal battles. For large portions of the course, he has found himself under pressure, intense scrutiny and even faced chants to depart his position as head coach. 

Even in times of desperation when it comes to results, the German has managed to cultivate a strong togetherness and kept the majority of players on board in spite of difficult waters. He has done so whilst carrying himself with integrity and professionalism. 

That post-Christmas run has been remarkable. Since a 3-1 defeat to Blackburn that many suspected would be the end of his spell in Norfolk, they have taken 56 points from 32 games. Only four teams have taken more. 

Along the way, they've had to problem-solve, be it the porous nature of their defence or regular injuries that proved destabilising at points. They've found solutions that have kept them running. 

Regardless of what happens from here, Wagner and his squad deserve credit for a turnaround that very few saw coming, not least some inside Carrow Road. From 17th in November, they have secured a top six finish. 

That was the goal at the start of the campaign. They may have taken the scenic route, but that has been achieved. Three more games stand between them and an epic ending that could be sold in Hollywood. 

Norwich have finished the marathon. Now it's time for the final sprint, with a few tough hurdles that will need clearing along the way.