"It was a lesson I learned and I've been telling my players the same. If you're not winning matches, talent doesn't count. If you go down after 38 games then the league table says you get what you deserve.
"The league table doesn't lie. It's exactly the same if you're at the top after 38 games, then you deserve to win it. People say you can be lucky, but I don't agree with that over a full season. That was levelled at Leeds when they won the title in 1992. People said they were lucky and Man United deserved to win the league. Rubbish. Leeds finished top and got what they deserved.
"There's a lot of tension when you're involved in a scrap like we are. There's always more of an edge to the games because there is so much at stake. When there is a chance of pulling away it adds a lot more to the games.
"The players know what it means. You can't look at individual games, but our home matches are going to be vital. We can't dwell on the Birmingham game because we're still in the hunt.
"Leicester are in a similar position to us and Micky Adams will be telling his players the importance of this game. We've got to make sure we're stronger and mentally right. I don't think things are pretty at this time, anyway we can pick up points now I'll accept it."