Leading figures from West Midlands football have agreed to answer the questions of Row Z readers.*
 Today it's the turn of Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce to take his place in the hotseat. I would like to thank you, Mr Bruce, for restoring my club to its rightful place in England's top flight. But I have noticed that you have a habit of talking down our team's chances a lot in the press. Aren't you worried that you might have gone too far with this? Ted, Shirley SB: "I'm not talking the team down, as you call it, Ted. I'm just trying to be honest about where we are at the present time. Yes, we've had a bit of success, but we're still finding our feet at this level and I don't want anyone getting carried away. If that means I have to curb some people's enthusiasm, then so be it." What would be the harm in saying we might get into Europe next season? Andrew, Stirchley SB: "Europe's definitely on the agenda for me, Andrew - I've got a fortnight in Magaluf booked for the close season! Seriously, though, we're still just finding our feet in the top flight and to start talking about Europe at this stage is just too premature." Is a top six place a realistic ambition for Blues this season? Dave, Sutton Coldfield. SB: "I like the word you used there, Dave - 'realistic'. We must be realistic. I mean, realistically, we've done fantastic to get where we are. But any realist would have to agree that, realistically, we're still finding our feet. I mean, a club or our stature should realistically expect to be battling it out with the Crewes and Rotherhams of this world - not challenging Liverpool and Newcastle for Champion's League football." Hang on a minute, we've got 25,000 season ticket holders and a squad of internationals. How can you say that? Karren, Birmingham SB: "Sure we've got internationals but are they really that good? Hmm, are they? Upson, for instance. Sure, his form's been inspirational since coming here and he's arguably England's best left-sided defender at the moment, but where's the Beckenbaur-style breaks from defence? Where are the 25-yard netbusters? Nowhere, that's where. And Forssell. Okay, yes, he scores goals and makes space for others to play in, but have you seen him take a throw-in? Rubbish. And don't even get me stated on Stan Lazaridis's positioning on goal kicks. That's the kind of base material I'm having to work with here." Will you strengthen the squad over the summer? Luke, Chichester SB: "Going to have to, Luke, because we're still finding our feet at this level and at the moment's that's all we can hope to do." You're name's been linked with the manager's job at Newcastle United. How do you feel about that? Andy, Redditch SB: "What would Newcastle United want with me? I'm a rubbish manager. Really poor. Some of my decisions really upset me. Realistically, I'm going to be lucky to hold on the to the job I've got, never mind looking for another one." Are Blues still finding their feet at this level? Mark, Wast Hills. SB: "Yes." Will Nicky Butt arrive from Manchester United in the summer? Becky, Dudley SB: "He'd be mad to come here, Becky. Off his rocker. A player of his calibre should be playing for one of English football's glamour clubs, not little old us." Are you disappointed by the departure of Christophe Dugarry? Lenny, Castle Bromwich SB: "I'm not surprised he left, to be honest. Too good for the likes of us, he was. We couldn't expect him to hang around here and try his heart out for a mere £40,000 a week. Not when you look at the dross he had around him." There has been a tendency in some areas of the press to play down Birmingham's achievements. Does this bother you? Tom, Walmley SB: "To be honest, Tom, yes it does. I don't know where the media get this downbeat view of Birmingham City Football Club but I wish it would stop - and stop now." *No they haven't. We've made the whole thing up. | 
Row Z 
