Forssell: Result was a fair reflection

Sep 27 2007 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

MIKAEL Forssell said Blues could have no quibble with the result against Blackburn.

But the striker argued that Blues struggled to get to grips with Mark Hughes' men - and one another.

"They completely outplayed us," he shrugged. "We dropped so deep and if we won the ball, it was almost impossible to get up the other end.

"Blackburn were simply much better than us. We did a few good things in the first half, I'm not saying it was all bad. The main positives, personally and for others, was to get 90 minutes."

Forssell, who last started for Blues at the beginning of the month at Middlesbrough, recalled days past.

"Unfortunately when you throw in almost 11 players who haven't played, it's difficult," he said. "I had that same thing at Chelsea. I remember a League Cup game years ago against Huddersfield - 11 players who haven't played, we lose 1-0 and everyone thinks 'what's this?'

"I'm not making an excuse, but it does make a big part of it. It's not only that things don't gel together, but people are maybe not physically ready for it.

"People get fatigued and I was tired, in the second half I was cramping up."

Forssell added: "All credit to the manager that he gave us the chance. That's great. But it comes down to the result and this would have been a great competition for people who haven't got their fitness and are not involved all the time to play in competitive matches.

"Unfortunately Blackburn were too good for us and we have to brush this away and concentrate on the next league match."