Jamie Clapham has told his Birmingham teammates that no-one is safe from relegation apart from the 'big five'. Clapham was one of the signings who helped save Steve Bruce's side from the drop two seasons ago when they survived their first season in the Premiership. And Blues had high hopes for this season after a summer spending spree that bought seven new faces to St. Andrew's following on from last year's 10th-placed finish. It hasn't quite gone according to plan yet even though they picked up a valuable 1-0 win at Liverpool on Saturday. Clapham was a vital cog in the Ipswich side that finished fourth back in 2001and reached the UEFA Cup. Twelve months later they had been relegated and have yet to bounce back into the top flight - a lesson Clapham has taken on board. Many pundits thought that Blues had cracked the Premiership after just two seasons but as Clapham explains to givemefootball's Ian Clarkson, apart from the elite group, anyone could be relegated.
Q:HOW TOUGH IS IT, SIMPLY SURVIVING IN THE PREMIERSHIP?
A:No-one is safe. You only have to look at Everton last season. They struggled and survived by only one place, but the season before they finished seventh. They haven't changed many players and it is an indication of how close the league is. Results breed confidence and you can climb up the league quickly with a few wins. We have made a few changes and expectations are high after last year, but it isn't always that simple. We did well last season and at the moment it isn't going quite so well, but I am sure it will turn round.
Q:IS IT A SIMILAR SCENARIO TO WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVED AT THE CLUB IN JANUARY 2003?
A:Not really. I think it is a different scenario now because the four players were signed to stabilise the club and try to keep it in the Premiership. I am proud of the fact that we survived but from survival to pushing on into Europe is a big step. We didn't expect much in our first month because of the fixtures we had and we didn't feel under pressure. We then beat Liverpool and kicked on from there - let's hope the parallels are the same this season.
Q:WHAT CAN YOU DO TO TURN THE SEASON ROUND?
A:We have to work at it, because there isn't a lot wrong. Sometimes our performances have been okay; sometimes they have been really good. We just need that little bit of luck in front of goal.
Q:STAN LAZARIDIS, MARTIN GRAINGER AND YOURSELF HAVE ALL BEEN INJURED THIS YEAR - IS THE LEFT BACK POSITION JINXED?
A:Some people have said that but I think it's a load of rubbish. You can go through your career without any injuries but during the last eight or nine months I have had my fair share. I am disappointed not to be in the starting eleven at present but I don't get too fazed by things.
Q:IS IT JUST A CASE OF HARD WORK TO GET BACK IN?
A:Definitely. Managers have to make decisions on team selections and if you are not playing then you are going to be disappointed - that is inevitable. You have to work hard so that when your chance comes you can take it. I just want to play football. I am a fit person and all I want to do is run around for 90 minutes on a Saturday. That is what every professional wants to do.
Q:AND WHAT ABOUT THE AIMS OF THE TEAM?
A:We are all striving for the same thing and aiming for the same goal and whatever 11 are picked on Saturday will have to do their job. If that means I am on the sidelines for a few weeks then so be it. As long as the club moves forward then so be it.
