Clemence: Drop could spark St Andrews exodus
Stephen Clemence has admitted Birmingham could struggle to hold onto their big-name players if they are relegated from the Barclays Premiership.
The midfielder has insisted he would swap any potential glory in the FA Cup - Blues are away to Stoke in the fifth round – for being assured of finishing fourth from bottom in the top flight.
Birmingham could be eight points adrift of the safety zone by the time they visit West Ham on Monday if other results over the weekend go against them.
Bruce has assembled a squad brimming with quality with the likes of Emile Heskey, Chris Sutton, Mario Melchiot, David Dunn, Mikael Forssell and Matthew Upson available to him.
But a lengthy injury list has taken its toll during the current campaign and Clemence is aware of the possible consequences if City lose their Premiership status after four seasons.
He said: “If we fall out of the Premiership it would be a massive blow, certainly financially because we have a few decent players in here now and a big squad.
“The biggest problem for the club would be holding onto the big names. I am sure that the club would have to get rid of one or two.
“Some of them might not want to play in the Championship, although I don’t think everyone would jump ship and the club would be looking at wages and revenue as well.
“I would definitely now take fourth from bottom at the end of the season. The Premiership is the place to play your football.
“You go out to win every time you put on the shirt but the cup is not that significant. The main aim is to stay in the Premiership and there is plenty of fight left in us.”
Blues boss Steve Bruce will be hoping the additional couple of days before having to face the Hammers will help to ease an injury list which left him short of 11 players for the cup replay with Reading midweek.
