Statement Of Intent

Stephen Clemence believes Blues have issued their rivals with a statement of intent following the 2-1 win over Burnley.

We all know Blues have been up and down and a lot of fans remain unsure about Steve Bruce, but we should all take solice in the fact we are riding high and have a good chance of automatic promotion back to the Premiership which is what most of want, even if the performances are somewhat below par.

Speaking to the local press, Clemence said:

‘We were saying in the dressing room before the game ‘let’s let this league know what we’re all about and come away with three points’.

‘We did that. The teams at the top have been looking over their shoulders at us and now we are on a par with them.

‘I think people will be wary of us now after Saturday’s result and the way we’ve put ourselves right back in the thick of things in the past few weeks.

‘We have got to make sure we keep it going and begin to put some space between us and the others.

‘We are definitely capable of winning this league. We’ve got some good players to come back into the team on top of the quality players who are out there for us now.

‘So, as far the team and the squad are looking, we are well capable.

‘But we have got to show the commitment and workrate because unless you win the battle first, you won’t be successful in this league.

‘It was an important clearance at the end but probably on chances we still deserved to win.

‘Again, if people want to be critical – and the manager said this – we didn’t play as well as we can. But it was the right result. Burnley’s a difficult place to go. I’ve been there a couple of times with Tottenham and not got a result.

‘They were well up for it playing against Birmingham and we ground it out. And we are delighted with that.

‘We were disappointed with the goal we conceded. When you go behind away from home after four minutes, to come back we can be more than pleased with ourselves.

‘It’s never easy going behind, especially on someone else’s ground, it gave them a big lift. But we can start better – we can get better.’