The Opposition View: Birmingham City

Last updated : 20 March 2012 By Jim Bonner

Since beating us at St. Andrew's last month, Birmingham's form has been patchy at best. Can promotion still be achieved this season?

If we're going up it'll be through the play-offs. I'm confident of finishing in the top 6 but our chance of automatic promotion probably went when we drew 2 and lost 1 out of Forest and Derby at home and Coventry away.

Given the current state of your club off the pitch, is it imperative that Birmingham win promotion this season given what might happen in the summer with the club's finances?

Nobody really has any idea what's going on to be honest, so a lot of it is just guesswork but from things I've heard and been told I think we will really be struggling next year if we're still in this division.

The only positive I can think of is that we still have some big earners in the squad (Zigic, Davies etc) and we've managed to survive with them for a year, so if they leave we'll hopefully be able to keep our heads above the water.

Before your transfer embargo you were able to loan Erik Huseklepp from us. What do you think of him so far?

He's not featured a lot but from what we've seen so far he looks like a good addition to the squad. I wouldn't have him starting over King or Zigic but as a 3rd choice striker he looks decent. Very good footwork and can take a player on.

It's hard to judge him properly as he's not played a lot but hopefully he can contribute and make a difference in the last month or so.

Is the defence still Birmingham's biggest strength since the game at your place last month?

It's been a bit dodgy recently with David Murphy injured so Spector/Ramage have played out of position on the left and we've had a centre-back at right-back for large periods of the last 2 games as well. Hopefully tomorrow night we'll have at least 3 out of 4 of the regular defence and hopefully be as strong as we normally are. Curtis Davies, in my opinion, is the best centre-half in the league and has been brilliant.

Given your recent form there must be at least one major weakness in your side that Pompey could exploit?

The one thing I always come back to when talking about us is the lack of pace in our side, which was exploited last Tuesday by Leicester for two of their goals. Balls over the top do cause us trouble if a striker can get in behind the defence.

Attacking wise a lot can rest of Chris Burke and if he has a poor game we can struggle to create chances, he's got the most assists out of anyone in the league now and is obviously a vital part of the team.

Pompey haven't won in nine games and have only scored one goal in open play since then. You must be confident of taking all three points at Fratton Park tonight?

I didn't actually know about those stats but I was fairly confident anyway! As a side with top 6 aspirations a game like this, with no disrespect to Portsmouth, is really one we need to go out and win, especially after a good win on Saturday to get a bit of confidence in the side.

Predict the outcome of the game.

I'll be optimistic for a change and say a 2-0 Blues win, with goals from Chris Burke and Marlon King.