Nicky Butt is the first to admit that he won't recall 2005 as the pinnacle of his career, but he baulks at suggestions that it was his own annus horribilis.

This year has already started in a more positive vein with Birmingham unbeaten after two games, albeit that one of those was a desperate draw at Torquay in the FA Cup.

After a bright start at Newcastle United, injuries and loss of form blighted the second half of last season for Butt and the start of his Birmingham career has been tougher than expected as well.

* What do you think? Visit our messageboard and give us your opinion. *

There was more than enough to suggest that he was finding his best form during his opening six appearances in a Blues shirt until an aberration during the game at Portsmouth saw him kick Dario Silva and he was dismissed.

Despite a match-winning goal against Fulham it has been a below-par three months, just as it has for his colleagues.

Yet Butt will never hide from his responsibilities. Occasionally the target of criticism from supporters, he refuses to hide and, irrespective of his own level of performance, is always available when a team-mate is in possession.

With Muzzy Izzet's return from injury, the emergence of Neil Kilkenny and the presence of Damien Johnson and Stephen Clemence, Butt's role in the engine room of the side is by no means assured.

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old will be praying that Birmingham survive in the Premiership this season. That would activate a clause in his loan deal from Newcastle that guarantees him a permanent contract at St Andrew's.

However, if Steve Bruce's men should fall by the wayside, then Butt will be packed off back to Newcastle and he knows which scenario he prefers.

"I would definitely like to stop here," admitted Butt. "I have enjoyed myself and there are a great bunch of lads at the club who work hard.

"The coaches and management are good and I am happy. If we can kick on, get up the table and the manager decides to keep me at the end of the season, then all well and good.

"2005 was a bit of a mixture for me, really. From January through to April, I was injured. I then had a long break in the summer and it is the first time that has ever happened in my career.

"I was happy to come here and it still feels like the right move. I enjoyed the start of the campaign until I got sent off and missed four games and it has been fits and starts ever since. Hopefully, 2006 can be a better year for me."

Birmingham head to Charlton Athletic in the Premiership this weekend, buoyed by the signing of Chris Sutton. It is a fixture from which they must claim tangible reward.

Portsmouth are on the horizon in ten days' time and failure to take points from either game could have lasting ramifications for Bruce's men.

Yet, despite the burden of expectation weighing heavily on their shoulders, Butt insists there is a positive vibe permeating their Wast Hills training camp on a daily basis.

"If you let things get to you when you are going well, then you are in danger of falling on your backside," he said.

"Alternatively, if you let things get to you when you aren't going so well, then you can go even further down.

"So, we have to realise that we are good footballers and, although we haven't shown that at all times this season, if we are honest enough and work hard enough, we will get our rewards.

"I think the belief is still there. It has to be if we are going to get out of this situation.

"Although we haven't played well, we all admit that, it is fair to say that we haven't had a lot of luck along the way, either. Now we have got this busy period out of the way relatively unscathed, we can kick on.

"We have got players that are more than capable of ensuring that we stop up, but we have got to show it and it is vitally important to win our home games. If we do that, then it is a step in the right direction."