Blues face stern test
17 Mar 2006 - 09:03:26
Birmingham City's bid to escape the drop faces yet another stern test when Champions League hopefuls Tottenham visit St Andrew's.
Last time out the Blues kept their hopes of survival alive by drawing 1-1 at home to West Brom, when a defeat would have left them six points adrift of safety.
However, City were somewhat lucky as their local rivals had a number of chances to secure a crucial victory.
Boss Steve Bruce has some good news on the injury front, with both Kenny Cunningham and Chris Sutton likely to be available after groin and hip injuries respectively.
However, Matthew Upson, Jiri Jarosik and Julian Gray are all definite absentees for Bruce, whose future has again been called into question in the week.
Blues chairman David Gold slammed such talk, saying: "Steve's job has never been so secure. He has got such a massive job to do.
"If we go down I promise you Steve Bruce, subject to contractual arrangements, will still be the boss at the beginning of next season."
The future of Spurs head coach Martin Jol is not under any threat after the Dutchman led the north Londoners to the verge of Champions League qualification.
Jol's side currently occupy the all-important fourth place in the Premiership, but they have won just once in their last four league games.
Spurs have been held to draws at Sunderland and at home to Wigan, while last time out they were edged out 2-1 at runaway league leaders Chelsea.
However, it took a superb last-gasp strike from William Gallas to hand the Blues victory, with Spurs having more than matched their hosts at Stamford Bridge.
Midfielder Michael Carrick admitted: "It is hard to take when you have played well and think you deserve to get something out of the game. We had a lot of possession and we were thinking along the lines of nicking it."
Spurs' poor recent run has allowed Arsenal to close to within two points and Jol will be aware that another slip at Birmingham could prove costly.
Earlier this season goals from Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe gave Spurs a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane.
