Bruce and Curbishley concede defeat in race for Champions League place

STEVE BRUCE and Alan Curbishley joined forces to concede defeat in the race for a Champions League place in the wake of a dismal draw at The Valley.

Both Charlton and Birmingham harboured ambitions of breaking into the European elite but managers Bruce and Curbishley now admit they are realistically only playing for sixth place.

Bruce said: “Sixth place is up for grabs and anybody from sixth down to 20th is capable of beating anybody on their day. You’ve got to be realistic.