Birmingham City star's view on the Championship

Nov 27 2008 By Colin Tattum

BLUES and Wolves continue to surge away at the top of the Championship, setting up a potential firecracker of a derby at Molineux on Saturday.

Yet from within the St Andrew's camp, players are more concerned about keeping the chasing pack from the automatic promotion places rather than reeling Wolves in.

Blues saw off Ipswich Town 2-1 at St Andrew's last night to move six points clear of third-placed Reading, but they remain six adrift of Mick McCarthy's side, who left Sheffield

United with an impressive 3-1 victory.

"Of course it's a bit dangerous to think that we are both pulling away, but obviously that's what we want, to build a gap," Sebastian Larsson told the Birmingham Mail.

"Wolves are looking really strong but I think we are strong as well, and when we play like we did last night we are a threat.

"I would prefer it if the teams behind us dropped points rather than Wolves, to be honest - but, of course, we have got to try to make sure we get them to drop points this weekend as well."

It can be argued that the two Midlands rivals have contrasting styles, that fit with their personnel.

Larsson said: "Probably we are a little different. They seem to be scoring a lot of goals and are doing really well.

"I think it should be two teams being really confident this weekend and hopefully it will be a good game because we showed last night that we can play some good football as well to go with our other strengths."

Goals in the ninth and 14th minutes by Liam Ridgewell and Kevin Phillips - his ninth of the season - proved enough for Blues, who have won their last three outings.

"Last two games we've had to come in and rally for the second-half, so it was pleasing to