Penn pushes Blues to launch promotion bid

JERMAINE Pennant insists Blues should be looking at a top-six finish as a ‘minimum’ following their encouraging start to the Championship.

- By BRIAN DICK

The former Blues winger, who spent an eventful 18 months at St Andrew's during the Steve Bruce era, has been impressed, not only with how they have started this season but with their activity in the transfer market.

The 42-year-old has also backed Bluenoses to fill the 62,000-seater stadium when Tom Wagner's Sports Quarter dreams come to fruition giving the club the launchpad to attack the upper echelons of the Premier League.

But first they must get there and Pennant, the ex-Arsenal and Liverpool star, says they are in with a shout of promotion this season.

"I think they'll fare well," he said. "They've shown already that they can fare well. I think they've got enough in the tank, they've made some big signings, I think Demarai Gray is going to be a big hit, I think he will come good, 100%.