Geoff Horsfield admits that Leicester are in a relegation battle after Saturday's defeat at home to Norwich. They lock horns with Birmingham City tomorrow night in a fixture that is crucial for both sides for differing reasons. Steve Bruce;s side need at least a point to move back into the top two whilst the chasing pack are closing in on them. Rob Kelly was sacked last week and Nigel Worthington has taken over the reins but couldn't stop the rot against his old club Norwich. Horsfield knows that a goal against his former club could scupper their chances of promotion but with his loan deal from Sheffield United set to expire at the end of the season he is fully aware of his priorities. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke exclusively to Horsfield ahead of this crucial clash at the Walker's Stadium.
Q:WOULD YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS ABOUT SCORING A GOAL THAT KEPT BIRMINGHAM OUT OF THE PROMOTION PLACES?
A:I would have no problem with scoring a goal that beat Blues on Tuesday even if it ultimately cost them automatic promotion. If I didn't try my hardest then I am sure I would lose respect form my colleagues and supporters of both sides. I don't want them not to go up and I still think Blues will get promotion this year. However, I will be quite happy for them to leave the Walker's with no points on Tuesday night and me scoring the winning goal.
Q:IT IS A VITAL GAME FOR LEICESTER ISN'T IT?
A:We need to win as if we don't then we are in a relegation dogfight. On a personal note, I am in limbo and need to earn a contract, as I have no future at Sheffield United. I have only scored two goals in ten games so it is important that I play well and hopefully we can get a similar result against Blues as I did at Leeds earlier in the season (Horsfield played in a 3-2 win at Elland Road for Leeds). I have never been blessed with great skill but I need to put myself about and make it difficult like I did at Elland Road against Martin Taylor and Radhi Jaidi.
Q:ARE YOU SURPRISED BIRMINGHAM HAVEN'T BEEN PROMOTED YET AFTER THEY WERE SEVEN POINTS CLEAR AT THE TURN OF THE YEAR?
A:I have got a massive affection for Blues but I still want to win – it's a simple as that. They have had a two-game blip and with Sunderland coming through at such a pace, it is looking tense. Having seen how they were playing through December and January then I was sure they would kick on and be promoted by April. However, it hasn't transpired for whatever reasons and they will find it difficult at our place on Tuesday.
Q:YOU HAVE MET YOUR NEW MANAGER NIGEL WORTHINGTON PLENTY OF TIMES BEFORE HAVEN'T YOU?
A:He hasn't mentioned the Blues-Norwich play-off game yet when I scored and we beat them on penalties to win promotion to the Premiership! Mind you, I also scored as Albion beat Portsmouth 2-0 on the final day of the season to relegate Norwich back to the Championship but I think he has forgotten, as he hasn't mentioned it yet! However, he did call me in to his office and said that he wanted me to get back to the Horsfield of old as his teams used to hate playing against me. He said he will use the experience of Andy Johnson and myself and wants us to play a big role for the remainder of the season.
Q:FOOTBALL ALWAYS SEEMS TO THROW UP THESE NUANCES DOESN'T IT?
A:It is strange in football the way things happen and you never know who you are going to meet up with. I wouldn't imagine there will be much time for reminiscing though as we have to concentrate on the job in hand, which is survival. I didn't help his cause with the goals for Albion or Blues against Norwich but I would like him to be a success at Leicester with my help. That would suit both of us as the club survives, he gets a full-time post and I get a contract. If all of that happens, then I am sure we can talk about the play-off final in great depth!
