The Championship is already back this week with a fixture list over today and tomorrow as the hectic period really starts to show its teeth in the second tier.

Indeed, we've got most of the games tonight but there are some tomorrow with Birmingham travelling to Middlesbrough as they look to build on their win over Nottingham Forest.

Indeed, it was a vital three points that they got against a good Forest team at the weekend and now they'll look to pull of a surprise as they head to a Boro team challenging up at the top.

However, with Boro losing at the weekend to Leeds, Birmingham might feel as though they can get a result at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow night.

Steve Cotterill, though, is under no illusions in terms of how strong the Boro side is at the moment with him clearly feeling as though they are one of the envies of the Championship with the players at their disposal.

As quoted by the Birmingham Mail, the Blues' manager said:

"Middlesbrough have got some very good players, as have Nottingham Forest.

"They've got players who would be wanted by a lot of clubs in the Championship. It won't be a greatly different game. I think we have to be respectful of their players but also impose ourselves on the game as well."

A bold claim from Cotterill, then, and he'll be hoping his players are up to the challenge.

The Verdict

Boro struggled at the weekend whilst the Blues won so maybe there is cause for optimism for the away side.

It's certainly going to be tough with the form Cotterill's men have been in in the main but they will look to go to Boro and attack them early.

Thoughts, Blues fans? Let us know below!