Derby experience isn't vital - Bruce

Nov 9 2007 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

EXPERIENCE of Second City derbies is useful, but not essential, said Birmingham boss Steve Bruce.

Of the present Blues squad, Maik Taylor, Mehdi Nafti, Mikael Forssell and Mat Sadler have faced Villa before.

Damien Johnson also has, but is not fit after injury, while Martin Taylor is on loan to Norwich City and Olivier Tebily completely out of the picture.

Liam Ridgewell, of course, was in the claret and blue against Blues.

"It always helps if you can grasp a bit of experience from it but, then again, we beat them 3-0 and not had been in the same division for 16 years," commented the Blues boss.

"We know what to expect, I think they know what to expect. There will be no real team talks to be said from me or Martin O'Neill.

"As I've said, it's usually a bit of brilliance that decides things or a mistake.

"We've got some young lads here who I think will relish it. I said to them in the week, get yourselves ready for it because they won't play in many bigger games in terms of what it means to the people of city."