Garry Monk hailed his Birmingham side after their 2-0 home win over Stoke ended the Potters’ 11-match unbeaten run.
The win moved the Blues to within a point of the play-off places and was Stoke’s first defeat since they were beaten by Birmingham at the bet365 Stadium in October.
Jacques Maghoma and Omar Bogle scored the goals late in each half.
Monk said: “It was a fantastic three points in this period. We were not expected to do what we are now doing. This game against Stoke typified our attitude. We are strong and the team is willing to work together.
“When you play against a Stoke side with the quality they have in their squad you have to rise to the challenge and our performance typified how we are playing at the present time.”
Monk will not allow his side to get complacent.
Monk added: “Bogle’s goal and the way we celebrated typified the spirit in the side but we are not focused on our position as we take each game on its merit.
“This club deserves to be in a better position but we want to show we are a different type of animal to last season. This is the only thing that matters.
“Right now it is just about what we are doing as we do not have the luxury being able to rotate players.”
Former Birmingham boss Gary Rowett was magnanimous in the defeat inflicted by his old club.
The Stoke manager said: “I didn’t think our over-all performance was good enough.
“You have to give credit to the opposition. I felt they worked incredibly hard
and made it a physical game.
“We did not deal with that side of the game although Sam Clucas had two really good chances in the first half.
“Overall we started the game poorly. Birmingham had a chance in the first minute and we never really recovered in terms of quality other than in 20 minutes of the first half and maybe 10 minutes of the second.
“The are very similar in some ways to the time when I was at Birmingham. They are difficult to play against. They are what they are. They are happy to concede a little possession and be direct at times. This is what suits them.
“Birmingham deserve to be where they are. Getting up there is one thing staying up there in such a difficult league such a tough league is another matter.”
