Blues up for Pompey challenge March 10 2008
Gary McSheffrey warned Portsmouth to expect a better-prepared Birmingham in Wednesday's Premier League clash at Fratton Park now that the club is stable.
Blues were in turmoil when beaten 2-0 by Pompey three months ago following the departure of manager Steve Bruce and the uncertainty surrounding the midlands outfit and the ultimately failed takeover bid by Carson Yeung.
McSheffrey admits the players were affected by the uncertainty but he is confident it will be a different scenario in the return as City look to follow up the impressive 4-1 win over Tottenham at St Andrews nine days ago.
He said: "I remember that game against Portsmouth. I played and it was a really tough game. Portsmouth were really physical and showed they were great athletes.
"We weren't up to scratch that day but we were playing with an uncertainty over the future of the club, the management and everything surrounding it. There was a lot going on.
"Maybe it did affect us even though we lost through an individual error (by goalkeeper Richard Kingson) and then a great strike from Niko Kranjcar but I think we will be better prepared this time around.
"There's nothing to bother us now other than the football and making sure we do it on the pitch. Stability is probably the word that describes us best."
McSheffrey believes Alex McLeish's side will be bubbling with confidence after twice drawing with Asenal, sharing the spoils at West Ham as well as defeating Spurs in recent weeks.
He said: "These days we have a team where everyone know each other. We're getting a consistency about us where we all know each other's game.
"People know what is expected of them on the field, around the training ground and off the field. There's a professionalism about the place and a structure where everyone's comfortable.
"We're on a good run and you can't ask for more than beating Spurs at home the way we did. We now have to take that enthusiasm and confidence to Portsmouth.
"We'll be going there with a game plan and a structure which will hopefully mean we can come away with something. The rest of the season is in our hands and I'm sure we can survive.
"But we can't be too comfortable. We are still in a relegation dogfight but we have to look after ourselves and not look over our shoulders.
"A couple of wins on the bounce is massive at this stage of the season. We're coming into some form at just the right time."