Gary McSheffrey:Birmingham City have a great chance of staying up
Nov 18 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
Gary McSheffrey
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GARY McSheffrey has told Blues they cannot afford to pass up the chance of Premier League consolidation this season.
Surveying the standard of the top flight, the winger’s assessment was damning.
But that meant good news for Blues, who have been relegated in each of their last two campaigns at this level.
“It sounds weird but I think it’s the worst Premier League in years,” McSheffrey said.
“If you’re ever going to stay up, this is the season to stay up because there are some average teams about – they are not particularly massive clubs in the division.
“Look at some who are in the Championship – they’ve been in the Premier League for years.
“So it’s a great opportunity to stay up, push on to mid-table even, and I think this is the year to do it.”
Blues are 15th in the table, two points clear of the relegation zone.
Stoke City, who are ninth on 16 points, are within striking distance. It’s that close, virtually one-third into the season.
The big guns at the top end of the spectrum have not been finding it plain sailing either. Manchester United have unusually lost a quarter of their matches while Liverpool – defeated just twice in 2008-09 – have fallen five times already.
Have the leading lights therefore lost their aura?
