Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce believes his current squad could be the best he's had in charge at St Andrews.

"This is a young team, probably about eight of them on Saturday have not really played in the Premier League level before or at that level for long, so it's new to them," said Bruce. "But they are learning fast and I think they've shown people that they've got a bit about them and they've got a chance.

"I think it's as good a team as I have had here, which is going to take some proving considering that side of a couple of years ago which finished 10th. But that's the challenge for them to see if they can keep doing it and keep improving."

He also told the Birmingham Mail: "Credit should go to my staff and the work they've done. We had to rip it to bits after we got relegated. We brought in nine and moved out 18 that summer.

"We've brought in 10, 11 players again, as you need to do once you get in the Premier League. That's not easy to do on a restricted budget and then you've got to get them all to bed down and perform the way we have to.

"The good thing is that a lot of them will get better and serve the club well in the years to come. The signs are encouraging, we've got some decent players here who are all desperate to do well and make a mark, and they all want to play for the club."