Birmingham defender predicts a titanic relegation battle

Birmingham City defender Steven Carr reckons the Premier League relegation battle is going to include a huge number of teams throughout the season and his side are more than capable of pulling clear to safety.

The 34-year-old remains a key part of Alex McLeish's side, but Birmingham have struggled this season and sit in the Premier League bottom three having won only two games all campaign so far.

Birmingham have not won in their last four Premier League games, but should take some encouragement from the 0-0 draw they achieved away at Manchester City at the weekend, a result which upset many football predictions.

Carr claimed the side are definitely good enough to avoid relegation, but it is sloppy errors that are plaguing their season and resulting in them struggling at this point in time.

He stated that the club will suffer Premier League relegation if they "keep conceding silly goals", but predicted there will be a lot of teams struggling this season so Birmingham could face a long and tiring battle to avoid the drop.

"I think it is going to go right to the end and there will be a few good teams in there," the defender said.

"A few teams can say they are one win away from mid-table but it's about getting those wins. They are hard to come by in the Premier League now."

McLeish was hoping that Alexander Hleb could be the inspiration this season to help Birmingham repeat their top-ten finish of last season, however that has failed to happen and the Premier League betting offers suggest they face a struggle.

The midfielder has struggled since arriving at St Andrews and the manager recently stated he does not expect Hleb to really make an impact until the new year - Blues fans will be hoping it is not too late by then.