The top two in the Championship both picked up vital wins this weekend in preparation for their clash this Friday.
With Derby's encounter with Colchester United being shown live on Sky, it seemed the perfect opportunity for the Rams to send a message out to their fellow promotion candidates and they didn't disappoint, a comfortable 5-1 drubbing of Geraint Williams men was more than enough to see them fly back into top spot after a weeks leave.
However, it was to be a short lived stint as Birmingham also made the most of the publicity that the Sky cameras provided, a 1-0 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Cardiff City sending an apt reply to Billy Davies men, claiming back top spot in the process.
Bruce also took time to praise his players, observing; "the resilience and character they have shown to dig deep is fantastic". Striker Rowan Vine was singled out for personal praise "they are so determined, none more so than Vine, all he needed was a goal."
Similarly to Bruce, Davies used the opportunity to swipe back at the media saying, "The crisis is over." The comment came after criticism had been emanating from the media regarding to the high-flyers lack of goals but the ex-Preston man said "I've said for weeks and weeks, it was only a matter of time before someone got the end of a few goals from us."
Both teams will be delighted with the wins and it will be an intense battle between the two sides who meet this Friday in what must be seen as the most important game remaining this season.
ROY'S KEANE TO PLAY DOWN AWARD
Sunderland boss Roy Keane has been announced as the manager of the month for February.
The former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder won the award after fighting off competition from other nominees, West Brom's Tony Mowbray, Leicester's Rob Kelly and ex-Sunderland chief Mick McCarthy to gain the award.
The Irishman has propelled the Wearsiders to fourth in the table and after victories against Coventry, Plymouth and Southend, most notably the latter, a 4-0 thumping at the Stadium Of Light. Sunderland also picked vital results against fellow promotion hopefuls, a 1-1 draw with Birmingham before beating Billy Davies' Derby at home.
Despite being his first managerial award, Keane was quick to put things into perspective "There's no point getting awards half-way through the season, I'm part of an important team here and hopefully the accolades can go to the staff and players at the end of the season."
Meanwhile, Wolves striker Stephen Ward won the Player of the Month award for February in only his second month at the club. The former Bohemians man fought off competition from Plymouths' Scott Sinclair, Sunderlands' Carlos Edwards and Paul Henderson at Leicester.
The 21-year-old said of his delight at the award stating "it was a fantastic month for me and the team."
RESULTS ROUND-UP
Third-placed WBA failed to make the most of their home advantage against promotion rivals Sunderland, a quick start from the Black Cats was enough to see them two-up before a Carter consolation made it finish 2-1. Fifth placed Wolves ground out a 3-2 victory against strugglers Luton, Karl Henry bagging the winner in the final quarter of the match. Stoke maintained their decent league position after a Darrel Russell-inspired away at Plymouth, Palace threw away a one-nil lead to draw 1-1 with Burnley at Turf Moor. Norwich made light work of Barnsley at Oakwell, Chris Martin continuing his impressive introduction to professional football with a goal in the 3-1 triumph.
SURVIVAL SCRAP
Southend managed to rescue a draw in what was the best result amongst the bottom four teams, a McCormack equaliser in the last minute against Leicester saw them move to within three points of safety. Hull failed to capitalise on the bottom threes failure to win, a 2-0 loss away to Coventry saw them remain on 35 points, while basement boys Leeds United lost narrowly to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. After finding themselves three-down with just three minutes of time remaining, an 88th-minute Bullen OG and a Cresswell strike thirty seconds later saw the Elland Road club run the Hillsborough boys close but they remain bottom. 22nd placed QPR obviously losing 2-1 at fortress Portman Road.