Hughes: Fans concentrating on survival, not Savage

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes thinks Birmingham’s ’hate mob’ will be more concerned with survival than booing Robbie Savage.

Savage returns to St Andrews for the first time tomorrow following his controversial departure from the Blues 15 months ago.

The City fans were left fuming at the Welshman at the time after he contentiously turned his back on the club during the January transfer window.

A gentleman’s agreement then precluded Savage from making a return to City three months after his acrimonious £3m (€4.3m) move to Rovers.

At the time, Blues managing director Karren Brady claimed the safety aspect had to be considered as City fans were apparently preparing a hostile reception that would have resulted in an extra £50,000 (€72,300) in policing costs.

A year has passed, and while there are many Blues supporters who may be unwilling to forgive and forget, Hughes feels they have more urgent matters to focus on as the club fight to beat the drop.

The Blackburn boss said: “A lot of water has gone under the bridge since his move, and both clubs have moved on and find themselves in different situations now.

“We both have things to play for, and that is what we will be doing tomorrow, while they are desperate for points.

“That will be very much at the forefront of their thoughts, rather than any issues they may or may not have with Robbie Savage.

“I think they will be a lot more concerned with their own situation rather than the presence of Robbie.

“Even if they do have a go, that sort of thing never bothers him anyway.”

Hughes hopes the anxiety Steve Bruce’s players will be feeling with relegation looming will play into the hands of his own side.

“I think it’s a good time to be playing Birmingham,” added Hughes.

“They’ve got players who on their day can cause you a problem. But we know how players can sometimes be affected when you are down at the wrong end of the table.

“They are fighting for their lives, and there may be a little bit of anxiety in their play which we may be able to exploit.

“That anxiety can be transferred between the players and the crowd, and we know if we start well and maybe get out noses in front, it will be very difficult for them.”

Hughes still has fourth place in his sights, despite the seven-point gap to Tottenham, who gave Rovers a lifeline with yesterday’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.

Sixth-placed Blackburn, though, have slipped up themselves in recent weeks as they have taken just two points from their last three games and now have Newcastle breathing down their neck.

But Hughes is still looking up, rather than down, insisting: “We have never looked behind us and have always gone into games with Champions League very much in our sights.

“We have four games left and we are in a great position. It is not about anxiously looking over our shoulders, it is about kicking on and making sure we finish where we deserve this year.

“The result against Liverpool hurt us on Sunday and has made the Champions League spot very difficult to achieve, but we still have one hell of a lot to play for.

“There are a lot of points to be won and lost. We have just got to get our job done at Birmingham and make sure if anybody does slip up, we are there to capitalise on it.”

Craig Bellamy is fit, despite a kick on his thigh on Sunday, while Florent Sinama Pongolle may start after he was ineligible to play against his former club.