Jermaine Pennant believes it will be a tough ask for Wayne Rooney to improve on the job John Eustace was doing as Birmingham boss. 

Rooney was appointed last week, replacing Eustace with the club sitting inside the Championship play-off positions ahead of Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough.

And ex-City winger Pennant reckons his former adversary could find life difficult at St Andrew's.

He told LiveScore: "It's going to be a tough situation for Rooney going in there because it's not like he's coming in and the manager has been sacked because they're in a relegation fight.

"They're in the play-offs. They don't need to climb the table.

"I think there's a bit of added pressure now because Rooney has to come in and go one step further, do a little bit better.

"He has to keep them in there or even get them into the automatic places.

"The Championship is a dog-eat-dog league where anyone can beat anyone. 

"But with the CV he's got, he can handle the pressure. He's been in plenty of pressure moments before."

Merseyside memories

Pennant spent 17 months at Birmingham, scoring three goals in 60 appearances between February 2005 and July 2006, before Rafael Benitez signed him for Liverpool.

And having featured in the Second City and Merseyside derbies, he is well placed to comment on both.

He said: "The Birmingham vs Aston Villa derby is very aggressive.

"There are a lot of angry fans and abuse.

"I have to say the Liverpool vs Everton derby was probably my favourite to play in.

"You walk around the town and you can feel the hostility, the atmosphere waiting for this game. 

"Particularly when you play at home, the atmosphere is electric. That can make the difference."

Red alert

Ahead of the latest clash between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on Saturday, Pennant believes the Reds' superiority will not count a jot.

He said: "It doesn't matter how bad Everton have been over the last few years, that just goes out the window.

"Obviously, Liverpool are favourites but it's just about who's got the heart and who wants it most really.

"I think their start to the season has been sensational. 

"[Dominik] Szoboszlai has been a fantastic signing. It's a big deal to take the No8 shirt but he has really stepped up to the plate like Steven Gerrard used to.

"Time will tell whether he can carry the team on his back like Stevie G but it's a positive start."

Playing catch up

But Pennant is not so sure either the Reds or another of his former clubs, Arsenal, can prevent Manchester City from winning the Premier League for the fourth season running.

The Gunners beat City 1-0 last time out, going above Guardiola's side in the table, but their ex-attacker does not see it lasting.

He said: "I think City will win the league.

"At full strength, they can just win 10 or 15 matches in a row and get it done.

"You have to give Arsenal credit. They had no choice but to maintain the standards from last season and they've managed to do it.

"But City were without Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne in that game so I'm not getting carried away."

Jermaine Pennant was speaking to LiveScore on behalf of NewBettingSites.uk