Norwich City v Birmingham City: Lee Clark interview

The 51-year-old not only spent time at both clubs, but has been involved in exactly the situation the Blues face.

He joined Norwich as assistant manager when Glenn Roeder moved to Carrow Road in 2007, an easy decision given the promotion it meant from reserve boss at Newcastle United.

He also had great memories of Canaries fans as a player; "I’d always loved playing there. The stadium was great, the atmosphere was brilliant," he says early in his conversation with The Pink Un.

Fast forward nearly seven years and Clark was embroiled in a Championship relegation battle as Birmingham manager. As they do against Norwich a decade later, the Blues needed a final-day result to stay in the second tier.

"We went to Bolton and had to better Doncaster’s result," he recalls. "Which was looking really difficult when we went 2-0 down in the second half.

"But I still had the belief in the lads and it took until the 96th minute for the smallest player on the pitch to score with a header. Thankfully he did and the club kept their Championship status, which was crucial."

Clark kept Birmingham up a decade ago (Image: PA)

Clark is more aware than most of the motivation such a situation can provide, but knows from his experiences in relegation trouble that it's a double-edged sword.

"If the players aren’t motivated to keep themselves and their clubs in the Championship, which has always been one of the most difficult leagues to play in, they’ll never be motivated," he continues.

"It can also have an adverse effect, where the players can play with a little bit of fear, and obviously for Birmingham it’s not going to be an easy game.

"Norwich are on a really good run, they're going into the play-offs potentially off the back of a good finish to the season. That's always a good way to go.

"But it'll be a difficult one for them as well, because Birmingham will be looking to win the game and stay up. The emotions, physically and mentally, will play a big part in the game."

It's not a game in which the former Fulham midfielder will be keen to pick sides. He has positive memories of both Norfolk and the west Midlands, where he spent key parts of his now-finished coaching career.

"When I got down there I really enjoyed it," he says of his time at Norwich. "The club was brilliant, the support was terrific, packed out Carrow Road all the time, and the facilities were superb. I really loved it.

"No bad words to say at all. Loved living there, loved working for the club, great people behind the scenes.

"Matchdays were brilliant. The crowd, the support that's given from the fans is superb. Really, really good club with great people, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

"The only downside was getting there from the north east, that's a bit of a journey! But once you're there it's a beautiful city, the people are friendly, so it was a real positive part of my career and my life even though it was only a short period."

Clark is similarly glowing about Birmingham, where he spent more than two years between 2012 and 2014. He has some frustrations about his time there, but looks back with more good memories than bad.

"It's a huge club," he says as he turns his praise to the Second City club. "The fan base was absolutely superb. The training facilities were second to none, terrific academy.

"The goalposts were moved a little bit from when I accepted the job to when I got my foot in the door, there were a lot of financial issues.

"So what we wanted to achieve was becoming very difficult, and it was basically just trying to keep the club afloat. We were having to sell our best young players, which wasn't ideal.

"We kept them in the Championship, but the expectation was still there because that club deserves to be back in the Premier League."