Birmingham City ‘panic’ as pundit makes final-day relegation prediction

Jobi McAnuff is anxious about Birmingham City’s chances of survival on the last day of the Championship season, when they visit Norwich City.

Pundit Jobi McAnuff is concerned that Birmingham City will fail to win the Championship season’s last day on Saturday, and as a result, they will finish in the bottom three. Blues welcome Norwich City, who are comfortably in the play-off places with one game remaining, knowing that only a win can keep their survival hopes alive.

Failure to beat either of the only two teams below them in the league table in the last fortnight, Rotherham and Huddersfield, has put Gary Rowett’s side in a precarious position where three points are required – and where results involving Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday, or Blackburn Rovers must also go their way.

Blues’ home form has been pretty solid since Rowett returned to take interim charge – they’ve won over Preston North End and Coventry City but were defeated by Cardiff City – and they now need one more effort at home against a side that McAnuff believes will want to head into their play-off campaign with a positive result on the final day as a boost.

When asked which team he is most concerned about in the relegation battle, McAnuff replied, “Birmingham City.” “I think when you look at their form for a start, it’s not been very good at all – and again, I think the game, which you have to look at at this stage of the season, Norwich obviously looking pretty secure in terms of their place but will want to finish the season well.”

“I believe you look at the other games. I want Sheffield Wednesday to win something, you know, and that will put them out of reach. Plymouth is the other team that will have a tough battle. Hull needs to win that to have a chance of making the playoffs. I could see Plymouth and Birmingham both losing, with Birmingham sadly finishing in the bottom three.”

Danny Cowley, manager of Colchester United, was also a guest on the broadcast. He was able to provide some insight into what Rowett will be going through on the last day, having led them to eight points in his seven games in charge up to this time. Cowley, who had recently emerged from a similar situation with the US at the end of the season, described the incident as ‘torture’.

“I don’t think it is easy. I believe I’ve been fortunate enough to be part in a number of final days where there was something to play for,” he added, “and it’s much simpler when you’re aiming for promotion and have something exciting to work towards.

“When it comes to relegation, it’s very difficult because you’re nearing the end of what has been a marathon of a season, and everyone understands the physical toll, especially in the Championship because of the intensity of the games, but no one really understands the emotional toll and what it takes out of the players and staff mentally. It’s a huge challenge.

“Having just gone through it myself, I believe that if you can come out of it positively, young players, in especially, may benefit greatly from it since resilience is such an important trait and attribute to have if you want to participate in elite sports.

“Certainly, a relegation battle tests you in that sense. I’m glad our season ended last Saturday and we won’t have to wait another week, but my heart goes out to those men heading into the weekend.”