Here comes the crunch
Tickly bit, squeaky bum time . . . call it what you will, but I doubt if anyone can adequately sum up exactly what Blues are about to face.
A point at Fulham is a minimum requirement. If not, then Blues could be relegated, depending on other results.
Victory is really what's needed to keep the pressure on going into the final Sunday of the season.
It's a tall order, let's not shy away from the truth.
One win in 18 league and cup away matches, one in 12 away since Alex McLeish's arrival - his debut match, at Spurs - the statistics are pretty grim.
Still, funny things do happen at this time of year, and Fulham have just complete successive away victories for the first time since wisps of hair started to appear on Jimmy Hill's chinny chin chin (well, it must have seemed like that).
Blues will have to quickly get over letting a two-goal lead slip against Liverpool and concentrate on what's ahead.
McLeish is a huge believer in being positive, thinking optimistically about what the possibilities might be rather than dragging people down by fearing the worst.
And if Blues had been 2-0 adrift to the Reds and come back, then maybe the rest of us might not have such a sense or foreboding right now.
In many respects, it was not a surprise last Saturday. Blues have let Sunderland, Reading, Derby County and Newcastle United off the hook before at St Andrew's.
Blues can score goals, but they can't stop the opposition picking ways through them, all too easily at times.
Their default mode is to back off and drop deep at St Andrew's in the second-half, and when you are against players with fine technique, pace and mobility who have stepped it up a gear, it becomes harder to hold out as the pressure and tension builds.
Blues are not a team of strong, physical beasts, to resist by brawn as much as brain. There is some inexperience and naivety, as McLiesh admitted.
They will have to show plenty of strength, including that of the mental variety, and come of age at Craven Cottage.
Bolton Wanderers have Sunderland at home and Reading entertain Spurs on the same afternoon.
Anyone care to predict which way those games are likely to go?
Spurs should have been out of sight against the Trotters last Saturday, Reading haven't scored a goal in approaching eight hours of football.
Then there's Middlesbrough, floating in a neither-here-nor there way on 36 points. They have Portsmouth at home.
Blues have to make sure they remain alive going into the last set of fixtures on May 11, when they have Blackburn Rovers at St Andrew's.
Bolton are away at Chelsea, Reading away at Derby County.
It might well be that the most significant result of them all last Saturday turns out to be Chelsea's victory over Manchester United that kept the Premier League title battle alive.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum's view of what's going on at Birmingham City FC.
Mr. T !
With only two points from 30 away from here and the performances at Bolton, Sunderland, Wigan and Villa in mind do you think the players "fear" McLeish ? I am all for being positive. The best managers (Ferguson, O'Neill even Keane at Sunderland could be one day) have that respect that pushes a player on at those critical times in a game.
I sense the players like and want to play for McLeish yet that extra battle we used to have has now gone away from home
B&P, mostly it comes from within the individual not the manager. They've either got it in themselves or they haven't IMO. I don't think any players 'fear' any manager in the modern game really. I just hope we can pull something out of the bag. Perhaps the fact that Fulham are more of a footballing side than a physical, bruising outfit might help us as then it won't be so much of a battle per se. Then again, Sunderland, Wigan, Villa you are right, we didn't impose
Queudrue in place of either Ridgewell (lack concentration) or Jaidi (too old) against Fulham. What d'you reckon Mr T?
The fact Fulham are his old club and he's been languishing on the bench might just fire him up a bit?
I'd have thought Querdue is a given in place of Ridgewell. Ridgewell has been a liability of late.
I also believe that McCleish has to show intention with his choice of team. One up front and backs to the wall won't cut it in this game. If we play for a point and Reading/Bolton win then they only need a point on the last day of the season to stay up and we HAVE to beat Blackburn. Sunderland and Spurs really don't have anything to play for now. Also with Bolton playing later they will know what they need.
Fulham is a must win game for us, probably at all costs.
I think you have to expect Bolton to beat Sunderland but then Chelsea should do us a favour. So they will be on 36 points. If we can get to 36 we should do them on goal difference.
Reading have Tottenham with nothing to play for and then Derby, realistically they will beat Derby and I'd expect them to get at least a point against spurs to put them on 37 so to catch them we need to win both our games.
Fulham, well they won't matter if we get at least a point on Saturday which we have to. We have a good record at Craven Cottage over the years so thats hopefull but our record against Blackburn home and away over the years is pretty awful.
Simply put we can't lose against Fulham and you never know Sunderland or Spurs might do us a favour, just don't bet on it.
Tatts
I felt worse leaving the game on saturday than i did leaving vile park last week.
We need to keep a clean sheet and we haven't looked like keeping one for months. Worst case is we need a point on saturday because even if bolton win they have chelsea away last game (thats not to say they won't pick up anything there and we still have to win)
I would play 5 in midfield (dj, nafti and muamba in the middle with seb and kapo on either wing) with mcfad up front. We need to keep it tight and if we can nick something at least we'll have a base to work from rather be chasing the game like we have done in most of our away games this year.
I'm also concerned that the Bolton game is being played after ours and they will know what result they need to achieve. I'm surprised that this hasn't been raised by the blues or the premier league.
Anyway we need to be completely positive all week and i hope that you will put as much positive spin on all of your articles in the mail.
KRO.
Craig Perkins
Sorry Craig, we don't need to go down to Fulham to try and nick it, we have to go to Craven Cottage and drop the hammer on Fulham, it's the 50 million quid game and we need to go all out to win it.
You can't leave Forsell out of the line-up, together with McFadden we stand a chance of banging in some goals. The only change should be Quedrue in for Ridgewell and this should have been done months ago. Jaidi will be needed at set pieces and if Muamba and Nafti can stamp out Bullard and Murphy and dominate the centre of midfield, Kapo and Larsson should pose all kinds of threats out wide. Lock it up at the back, no stupid free kicks that set up Bullard and it should be a comfortable away wim with everythjing to play for against Blackburn at home. Nothing less than a 4 - 4 - 2 and show them we mean business. As disappointed as I was at seeing us squander a two goal advantage against Liverpool, I was definitely happy with a point. Now it's time to grab all three at Fulham and send out our intentions to Reading and Bolton. A win puts all kinds of pressure back on them and we need them to screw up if we are to stay in this League. You don't do that by playing a cautious 4 - 5 - 1 and trying to nick it on the break, it justs invites Fulham to pile on the pressure. Come on Alex, give us a fighting chance, at least if we go down, let's go down swinging.
yes you are right phil1 lets go for it,Reading Bolton Fulham who are you,we are Brummies beware.
Well all this is now drivel due to a useless ex Fulham defender and board as equally as inept. Tatts when you and Rossy go see Mr Sullivan can you do a Paxman on him instead of usual sucking up that Rossy does. If you care make him sweat.
Ask him to resign he cam sell his shares on the open market at his leisure.