IT HAS not escaped David Gold's attention that Birmingham City could be relegated at Craven Cottage this afternoon, two days before he is due to give a speech at the club's end-of-season dinner.

The Birmingham chairman faced the same scenario two years ago and, recalling the chastening moment when he apologised to more than 1,000 people, including the manager, players, supporters and sponsors, he is dreading the prospect of returning to the same script on Monday night.

That will be the reality if Birmingham, who have lost 13 of their 18 away games in the Premier League this season, are beaten at Fulham while Bolton and Reading both win at home, against Sunderland and Tottenham respectively.

Gold remains positive, pointing out there is a hunger and determination within the squad that was absent in 2006 when Steve Bruce's under-achieving team slipped into the Championship. Nonetheless Gold is aware the outcome could be just as painful.

"Two seasons ago we were relegated with a match to go, so when we went to the end-of-season dinner we knew our fate," said Gold.

"This year it could be the same if we get beat at Fulham and the other two clubs win. This isn't about money . . . It's the pride what hurts, standing up in front of 1,000 people and saying sorry."

While Gold notes promoted clubs traditionally struggle during their first season in the Premier League, he does not hide from the fact Birmingham's fight for survival has been made all the more difficult by the board's decision to sell a 29.9 per cent stake to Carson Yeung. The Hong Kong-based businessman failed to come up with the funds to facilitate a full takeover but, between July and December, his shadow was hanging over St Andrew's.

Players are generally not concerned with ownership issues but that changes when the manager's position is under threat and it was no coincidence in the weeks before Bruce's departure Birmingham endured their poorest run of the season, losing six of seven matches. Gold admits the board must take some blame.

"We would never ever do this again, where we have somebody come in and buy a piece of our club and then give them time to finish the deal over a number of months. That was a big mistake . . . There were things that we weren't allowed to do, including negotiate with our manager. I think we have replaced Steve Bruce with an equally talented manager (Alex McLeish) but it takes time to settle in and players are unsettled. It was a traumatic time.

McLeish has ensured Birmingham have not imploded but the 21 points collected from his 22 matches in charge hint at slow progress.