Despite winning 4-1 against Mark Hughes' side results elsewhere condemned Blues to playing their football in the Coca-Cola Championship next season. "They produced an outstanding performance. All they could do was win but results didn't go for us elsewhere. "We've missed out by one point. The players have punched above their weight many times this season, and they did it again today. "We've only lost one of 13 home games since I've been here but we haven't won enough of them and that has cost us. "Also there have been teams like Wigan and Bolton, who were under-achieving but new managers, Steve Bruce and Gary Megson, have got them going. "People ask if I could have kept us up had I been here for the whole season? But that's just conjecture.
"I'm very proud of the players' response today," the Blues boss said after the season's final game on Sunday.
"I now aim to bring in some more players. I've now got the chance to put my own stamp on the club."