'Brum Are Favourites At The Moment' - Megson

Last updated : 24 April 2008 By Matt Bottom

Megson said, "When you look at the games Fulham, Birmingham, ourselves and Reading have got I think you would probably look and say that Birmingham are favourites in this relegation battle to stay up because of the fact that they have got two home games."

"I know they got a poor result against Villa last week but I think one of the things they've got is a huge partisan crowd.

"I know very well from being in that part of the world and I don't think it's any coincidence the amount of penalties and free-kicks they seem to get at that place that have enabled them to pick up results.

"So I would say that Birmingham are probably favourites to get out of this because of the two home games."

"If you look at the facts I think they have had six penalties this season," he said.

"You look at the size of their crowd. With all due respect to, Fulham, ourselves and Reading we don't get huge crowds and they are not as partisan.

"Birmingham's really are. I have taken teams there and it is a really difficult place to go.

"I think it follows if you look at the facts of how many penalties they get compared to other people and free-kicks around the box that when you look back are a little bit iffy."

"Momentum in football is vital because it changes your whole week and changes the way the football club, in our instance, is viewed by everybody on the outside," Megson explained.

"I don't think confidence, individually and as a team, has even been a problem otherwise we could not have come back from what was an awful performance and result at Villa Park and won these last two games.

"But it certainly doesn't do any harm and makes for a better atmosphere and working environment."