The two transfer window signings combined to give Blues a 12th minute lead against the Saints when Pandiani headed home Pennants right wing cross and the Blues boss was more than pleased with the performance of both players on their debuts. "You can see he is a quality player and I knew within five minutes of meeting him that he wanted to play despite the fact that he only met the other players a couple of hours before the game. "He took his goal well and the win has helped us a great deal. He has given everyone in the club a big lift. "I thought someone was tacking the mickey when I was told he was available and the Birmingham fans already like him because of his attitude. "Young Pennant also had a very good game and generally I was pleased with the outcome. Another of Bruce's January signings, Robbie Blake also put in an eye-catching performance and he bagged Blues' second goal of the game from the penalty spot - his first for the club since his move from Burnley. Blake was only included in the starting eleven just prior to kick-off after Emile Heskey was forced to withdraw after aggravating an Achilles injury during the warm-up.
"The bit of hard work we had to put in to get Walter Pandiani has certainly paid off," Bruce said after the game at St Andrew's.
"The first half performance was possibly the best we've played all season."
"Emile Heskey collected an Achilles injury at Chelsea but he broke down just before the game after he had been included on the team sheet," Bruce said.