Alex McLeish claims crisis club Portsmouth will be 'dangerous' opponents for Birmingham in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final tie.
The Blues will travel to Fratton Park to face the Premier League's bottom club, who now look doomed to relegation as they await a nine-point penalty for becoming the first top-flight club to enter administration.
McLeish noted that the Pompey players responded to their plight by winning 2-1 at Burnley on Saturday and knows his side will have to be at their best if they are going to clinch a semi-final date at Wembley.
"People say we look a decent cup side with being good defensively and nicking goals. That is the theory," he said.
"We should be going into the game relaxed - but we will be up against dangerous opposition.
"
Portsmouth are backed into a corner, they had a great result at the weekend, and have some great players.
"They are on their own patch and, as anyone knows in this league, including the top teams like Manchester United and Chelsea, it is not easy to go away and win.
"
The draw could have been worse but it could have been better and we've been drawn away in every round this season.
"But we won at Everton two rounds ago and we think that, on our day, we can progress."