Birmingham face a tough first test of their table-topping credentials tomorrow as they seek to prove they can deal with the pressure which comes with being leaders of the Coca-Cola Championship.
First up for the resurgent Blues at St Andrews are Preston - the team they deposed at the top when they beat Plymouth 3-0 last weekend.
Assistant manager Eric Black argues Birmingham are currently staffed by players who thrive on the challenge of proving they are made of the right stuff.
Victory over Preston would take Steve Bruce’s side at least five points clear of their title rivals.
“Being at the top puts us under the kind of pressure we like,” Black said. “Ideally it’s where we want to be playing all our games from now to the end.”
Even so, Black accepts being top of the pile is likely to focus the minds of Birmingham’s opponents.
“Does it add a little bit of pressure to maintain it and stay there?” he asked.
“Maybe it does - because people are coming here thinking Birmingham are top and it might spur them on.”
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