Why Birmingham City boss Pep Clotet expects a 'very difficult' game against Sheffield Wednesday

Wednesday make the trip to the second city having won just one of their last 10 Championship matches, but Clotet says he is anticipating a ‘very difficult’ game at St Andrew’s.

“We know it is going to be very difficult because no-one is going to give you the points,” said the Spaniard, who was Garry Monk’s assistant at the Blues, Swansea City and Leeds United.

“We know they are a side that will put a shift in, that has the experience of two play-offs, was tipped for automatic promotion – when we were tipped to be relegated.“And they are a side that has the talent, they can always create problems. The fact they are not in a good moment means nothing for 90 minutes, we know it is going to be very difficult.

“But we have a lot of trust in ourselves and we love to play the game our way and make things difficult for them. Our mentality is one game at a time and nothing else.”

Clotet’s side go into tomorrow’s clash level on points with the Owls but haven’t tasted defeat in the Championship since New Year’s Day and have chalked up impressive wins over promotion hopefuls Bristol City and Nottingham Forest in recent weeks.

But the Blues boss could be without the services of key frontman Scott Hogan, on loan from Aston Villa, for the clash after suffering an ankle injury in the 1-1 draw with Brentford last week.

“He is a doubt, I have been working on other options because he is still a doubt,” said Clotet. “He has been working on his ankle, a decision will have to be made (today) or on Saturday.”