Taylor set for promotion scrap

Taylor: Battle for promotion is still on

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Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor has denied the Championship is becoming a two-horse race.

Blues are four points clear of third-placed Reading and many pundits have already predicted that Birmingham and leaders Wolves will run away with the division.

But Taylor has urged caution from the St Andrews side and believes there is plenty of time for other clubs to challenge for automatic promotion.

Asked whether he thought Blues and Wolves were odds-on to go up, Taylor replied: "Definitely not, the first person from any club that comes out and says that is going to get bitten.

"Burnley are a good team, Sheffield United are looking strong as well as Reading so there is still a long way to go."

The centre-back speaks from bitter experience, recalling how Birmingham were pipped for the Championship title by Sunderland two seasons ago.

"Last time we were in the Championship we let a nine-point lead slip to Sunderland in the space of two weeks," Taylor said.

Blues are currently unbeaten in five games and the defender believes they can continue this run through the hectic Christmas period, starting on Saturday with the visit of Watford.

Confident

"Yeah we're confident. There are quite a few games in December and the chance to pick up nine points in a week and change the look of the table so we need to keep this run up," he said.

Saturday's game could come at an ideal time for the promotion contenders, with the Hornets facing a Carling Cup quarter-final with Tottenham.

But Taylor feels Blues need to stay focused and has pinpointed Tommy Smith as their danger man.

"He has the pace to cause defences problems and he's always getting into good positions. He's obviously scoring a few this season and will be a threat."

Ahead of the Watford game, the big centre-half has also issued a rallying call to the club's supporters after disappointing crowds so far this season.

"Atmosphere does affect the players on the pitch, and I'd be lying if I said that it does not harm us when we go out to a crowd that's only half or three-quarters full.

"The fans have been brilliant since I got here and we just need a really big push from everyone at the club to try and gain promotion," he added.