Month: April 2012

HUGHTON – WE DESERVE CHANCE

Posted on by isport

Birmingham City manager Chris Hughton has said that the players at the club deserve a chance to be in the play-offs given the way they have performed this season.

Birmingham have been hit by a number of financial problems this season mainly due to their Hong Kong owner.

The very existence of the club has been in doubt, but Chris Hughton has managed to prevent the uncertainties on the financial front to transfer to the football front. As a result, the players have been able to perform exceptionally well in the Championship this season. Birmingham are currently in a position where they could compete in the play-offs this season.

With only one match in the regular season remaining, Birmingham are currently fifth in the Championship table.

Their place in the play-offs position has not been guaranteed yet, as they could still fall below the sixth position. They are in a race with clubs like Cardiff city and Middlesbrough to finish in the top six of the Championship. Blackpool have recently overtaken Birmingham to the fourth position, which means that they are unlikely to face West Ham in the play-offs. West Ham were one of the favourites to get automatic promotion, but they were let down by the late dip in form. Birmingham will not want to face West Ham in the play-offs.

“We have had so many games this season nobody was quite sure what to expect. Would we have settled for a play-off position at the start of the season? Yes, we would have done. There were plenty of comings and goings, we’ve brought in some really good players to this football club and add to that we’ve had a lot of players who have had to play a lot of games,” said Hughton ahead of their only remaining match against leaders Reading.

HUGHTON PLAYS DOWN CHANCES

Posted on by isport

Birmingham City manager Chris Hughton has said that he had the opportunity to finish in the play-offs this season, but are facing a tough run of fixtures.

Birmingham City have the chance to secure their place in the play-off positions, which will guarantee them the opportunity to fight for a place in the Premier league next season.

However, they will be facing the likes of West Ham in the remaining matches, and Chris Hughton considers that Birmingham City do have a tough fixture list in the final few matches of the season. Birmingham City now need a point from their remaining two matches in order to secure their play-off position. The latest football odds make them firm favourites to qualify.

Even though it is highly unlikely that they will be able to throw away such a good position, Chris Hughton has warned his players against complacency.

Birmingham City went into the match against Ipswich town without a number of first-team players, but were unable to get a credible draw against the side from Portman road. They have also lost Steven Caldwell to injury in the first half, which only complicated matters for Chris Hughton. They now trail West Ham by eight points with only two matches remaining.

They will be facing Barnsley in the next match followed by leaders Reading on the final day of the Championship season.

“We are close, but we have got to play two very, very tough games,” said Hughton. “They don’t come as tough as Brighton away – irrespective of their recent form – and Reading at home. But I am desperate for this group of boys to get over the line. They have been excellent all season. They deserve it, for the amount of games they’ve played and the spirit they’ve shown,” Hughton said after the 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town.