The 2nd place Blues are the opposition for Swansea City tonight as they look to maintain their unbeaten league record at the Liberty.
The Swans have already beaten league leaders Wolves at the venue this season and will be looking to add Birmingham to that list as they try to move into the top 6 for the first time this season.
But the Swans boss knows the challenge that faces his side will not be an easy one “Birmingham have got the strongest squad in the division without a doubt,” he told the Evening Post.
“They are a Premier League side playing in the Championship this season and, while that doesn’t guarantee you anything, it really helps.
“People talk about their strikers, but they are very strong in every department.
“They do not concede many goals and they can score from all over the pitch out of nothing.
“They do not have a weakness and, if you could choose, you’d only want to play them once a season rather than twice.
“It’s a compliment to us that we are up against a club like in Birmingham in a competitive match because it shows how far we’ve come.
“But at the same time we know that we’re going to have to be at the very top of our game if we want to compete.
“They are one of the three outstanding clubs in the Championship along with Reading and Wolves.
“They have big-name players, experience and great financial possibilities.
“There is something special about Friday night football in Swansea,” he said.
“As a player I used to go to the Vetch for a Friday game thinking we were already 1-0 up, and we seem to get a similar atmosphere at the Liberty now.
“Maybe the fans are a bit more up for it on a Friday, I don’t know, but it certainly gives us great belief.”