Rob Wildey looks ahead to the second City derby.
How are you all feeling on the eve of the first Birmingham derby in almost four years? I`ll tell you how I am feeling and I`ll be honest. I am fine. That probably comes with knowing that the pressure is placed firmly on the shoulders of Villa and their manager Tim Sherwood.
The Vile were booed off the pitch after their defeat to West Brom on Saturday and Twitter was full of #SherwoodOut hash tags. Lose against Blues tomorrow and the bed sheets will be well and truly out.
Blues have sod all to lose. Being the Championship side, being the away side and being the side full of freebies, Gary Rowett is correct when he says Blues can go to Vile Park and play more ‘freely` than their hosts.
As much as I want Blues to win the game, I am not buying that this is the ‘biggest game` of the season. Absolute nonsense. If we beat Villa and then didn`t win another game all season, would Blues fans be happy because we beat Villa in the third round of the League Cup? Of course not.
Similarly, would Vile fans be happy (which is a rarity in itself) with relegation as long as they beat Blues? Nope.
There is local bragging rights at steak as well as a place in the fourth round. Nothing more.
Gabby Agbonlahor must be looking forward to this one seeing as Blues are the only team he scores against. His football ability is as ugly as his face but he has always been a thorn in the side of Blues.
Rowett has confirmed that he will pick the strongest possible team available to him, which is a relief. If Clayton can find his scoring boots, Dimmy and Cotts can keep plying him with the service and Morrison and Spector can stand string, you just never know.
Pressure off. Game on. KRO. SOTV.
Twitter @TheWildeyShow