“When it’s relegation, it’s very difficult, I could actually see Plymouth and Birmingham both losing” – Pundits makes final day relegation prediction
Pundit Jobi McAnuff worries that Birmingham City won’t pick up the victory they desperately need on the final day of the Championship season on Saturday – and consequently they’ll find themselves in the bottom three come the full time whistle.
Blues host Norwich City, who are pretty secure in the play-off places with one match left to play, knowing that only a win will keep their hopes of survival alive.
Failing to defeat the two teams below them in the league standings over the past two weeks, at Rotherham and Huddersfield, has put Gary Rowett’s team in a delicate position.
Securing three points is crucial, along with hoping for favorable outcomes involving Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday, or Blackburn Rovers.
Despite a decent record at home since Rowett’s return, with wins against Preston North End and Coventry City but a loss to Cardiff City, they now require one more strong performance on their home pitch.
This match comes against a team that McAnuff believes will aim for a positive result to boost their playoff ambition.
“I’d have to say Birmingham City,” McAnuff told BBC Radio 5Live, when asked who he is worried for the most in the relegation scrap. “I think when you look at the form they’re in for a start, of course, it’s not been very good at all – and again, I think the game, which you have to look at this stage of the season, obviously Norwich looking pretty secure in terms of their place but will want to finish the season well.
“I think you look at the other games. I do fancy Sheffield Wednesday to get something, you know, and that will be put them out of reach. Plymouth are the other one that is going to be [in for] a tough game. Hull have to win that to try and get any chance of getting in the playoffs. I could actually see Plymouth and Birmingham both losing and then seeing Birmingham, unfortunately, be in that bottom three.”
Colchester United manager Danny Cowley was also a guest on the show. He was able to offer a little insight into exactly what Rowett will be going through on the final day, having guided them to eight points from his seven matches in charge up to this point. Cowley – who has just emerged from a similar situation with the Us at the back end of the season – described the affair as ‘torture’.
“I think it’s not easy, not easy. I think I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in a lot of final days where there’s been something to play for,” he added, “and it’s much easier when you are trying to go for promotion and you have something exciting to work towards.
“When it’s relegation, it’s very difficult because you come to the end of what is a marathon of a season and, everybody understands the physical toll, particularly in the Championship because of the intense nature of the games, but nobody really understands the emotional toll and what it takes out of the players and the staff mentally. It’s a big challenge.
“Having lived it just recently myself, I do actually think if you can come out of it in a positive way, then particularly for young players, they can take so much from it because if you want to be involved in elite sport, resilience is such an important quality and attribute to have.
“Certainly, when you’re in a relegation battle, it definitely tests you in that way. I’m pleased our season finished last Saturday and we don’t have to live another week, but my heart certainly goes out to those guys going into the weekend.”
