Ridgewell: Work rate is key to survival

Sep 22 2007 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

LIAM Ridgewell has applauded Blues ferocious' work ethic - and the captain has told his team that there can be no let-up.

Ridgewell said that the way Blues players were willing to fly about the pitch was important to the how they would

garner good results. "The work ethic of this team is tremendous," said the defender.

"It's what we've got to try and pride ourselves on and then after that, once we have worked hard for the first 20 minutes, we can get the ball down and play a little bit. That work side of things is an important part of our game we've got to keep going for the season."

Manager Steve Bruce said this version of Blues was deliberately meant to be sprightly.

"I have tried to give the team that energy back. That's something we addressed after we came out of the division. You look at the stats and the amount of work they get through - at an intensity as well - it's scary.

"Muamba, Nafti and Larsson covered something like 25 miles in the two games leading up to West Ham. Yes, I would love them to be technically better at times. But you can only give what you can give.

"If they keep playing with that energy and keep believing as a group, then we can do enough to stay in the division."