Trevor On Youngsters

Trevor Sinclair says the young trio of Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe, and Glen Johnson all thoroughly deserve the recognition they received before the final home game of the season, against Chelsea on Saturday.

Joe was named Hammer of the Year, Jermain was runner up, while Glen got the Young Hammer of the Year award as voted by supporters.

"I would congratulate all of them, it is a great achievement," says Trevor. "Joe is only a kid still, and he has picked up the award, and Jermain has had a big weight on his shoulders this year.

"A lot of the time he has been the main striker up there and I think he has carried himself in a great way.

"He has got double figures in goals, and to do that with little help in a side that has been struggling is great credit to him.

"As for Johnno, what can you say? He went out on loan and I think it was great timing from the manager to bring him in when he did, because he hasn't looked back since - and I am pretty excited about what he can do in the game.

"I am sure now he has had a taste of the Premiership he is going to want to stay there and improve - he has been outstanding."

Trevor goes into the final match of the season against in-form Birmingham City on Sunday knowing that not even a fourth consecutive win might be enough to stay up.

Much has been made of Bolton and West Ham's recent string of results, but Birmingham have hauled themselves out of danger rather more quietly - and still want to finish above local rivals Aston Villa for the first time in a couple of decades.

"They are on a great run and I think they have won seven or eight out of 10, or something like that - and they have needed to be to keep away from the relegation dogfight," says Trevor.

"Steve Bruce has got them all working hard for each other, they seem to have a great team spirit, and they are making their home ground difficult for teams to go there and get anything.

"So we know what we have got to do and I am just hoping that if we can get a win up there we can stay up - but unfortunately we don't know that yet.

"But it is going to be a ding-dong of a game and I think we have proved to everyone in the last two months we are going to be up for the game. Whatever happens, we want to finish the season with a three point win."