Birmingham City players won't hide - Ridgewell

Nov 26 2007 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM City didn't really get into their stride at wet and windy St Andrew's against Portsmouth - but the players will not shirk their responsibilities, said Liam Ridgewell.

"It seemed to be quite dull and that was the disappointing thing. We tried to get going but things didn't come off," he said. "The confidence is still there. We want to keep going and everyone will do that. We try our best and wear our hearts on our sleeves."

Ridgewell refused to criticise goalkeeper Richard Kingson for his cock-up.

"It's football. It happened to England during the week. That kind of thing comes to us all at some point. It's happened to me, it's happened to Richard and I'm sure it will happen to others. He's big enough to take it on the chin and just get on with it."

As for the strong sliding tackle that cleared out Ridgewell in the penalty area with 17 minutes to go and Blues 1-0 down, he wasn't so sure if it was a foul.

"It's difficult for me to say. I just tried to get to the rebound. I don't know if he came through me to get the ball, I'm not too sure what the rules are these days on things like that," he added.

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