Gary Rowett’s side have consistently defied budgetary restraints to battle for a place in the top six, falling narrowly short in each of the past three campaigns. Now they are once again in the mix, beginning the Easter Weekend in fifth position.
“It’s not a one-off or a fluke where we’ve had a freakish season and everything has gone our way,” says the 30-year-old Glaswegian, who has made over 150 appearances since joining from Scunthorpe in the summer of 2018.
“I’ve been here a few years now, and every year we’ve been improving the squad, winning more games, getting more points. When you do well one season and then keep backing it up, it’s only natural to feel it’s where you deserve to be.
“Are we overachieving? When you talk in terms of financials, a lot of teams in the Championship spend more than us. A lot of them get higher attendances. If that’s how you judge the size of a club then yes, we are.
“But in terms of the squad and the players, we’re all established Championship players and the natural progression for all of us would be to aim for the Premier League.”
This story is from the April 09, 2023 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 09, 2023 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Pride at the park is perfect for Paul
EVERYONE deserved a pat on the back was Paul Warne’s verdict as his Derby County side hung on for all three points.
ACE HARRIS NETS TOP AWARD WITH GOAL RUSH
STRIKER Mark Harris has led the Oxford United assault on the second tier – and now it’s landed him the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for August.
SEASIDE LATE SHOW GIVES BRUCE BUZZ
IN HIS first match back in football, new Blackpool boss Steve Bruce admitted this was a tense encounter.
CLEMENCE GETS BLUEBIRDS TO
BARROW boss Stephen Clemence was delighted with his side’s multi faceted performance as they beat Grimsby to continue their strong league start.
KARL FUMES DESPITE LATE SUB HEROICS
KARL Robinson was delighted to see Salford City come back from behind to beat Cheltenham Town thanks to Hakeeb Adelakun’s second-half brace.
PATIENCE REQUIRED OVER NEW BOY ALZATE
HULL City boss Tim Walter says fans will have to wait to see “perfect” midfielder Steven Alzate unleashed on the Championship
DOM AIMS TO HAVE A BALL AT THE O'S...
DOM Ball is eager to use all his experience to help Leyton Orient achieve ‘something special’ this season.
DEL-BOY IS CUSHTY FOR CLEVERLEY
ALTHOUGH it needed a second-half strike from Tom Dele-Bashiru to rescue a point for Watford against Coventry, Hornets’ relieved head coach Tom Cleverley was determined not to point the finger at his slow-starting players.
MACKEMS' PERFECT RECORD IS ROO-INED
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight after his first Championship win as Plymouth Argyle boss came by beating previously unbeaten leaders Sunderland at the death.
Spanish starlet is seizing his big chance
SUNDERLAND'S failure to sign an established striker this summer left fans apoplectic, but Eliezer Mayenda is doing his best to quell the dissent.