Only the best will do for Blues boss Alex McLeish

Jan 10 2008 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish today outlined the reasons why he believes it is vital to bring quality players to Blues.

So far during the current transfer window there has been a flurry of departures from St Andrew's.

But McLeish said he had plenty of irons in the fire as he sought to inject new blood to help and 'inspire' the team.

If nothing changes, nothing changes, the manager insisted.

David Murphy, James McFadden and Georgios Samaras are three targets he continues to seriously pursue.

"The boys that have played over the last seven weeks have given everything," he said.

"When we are expected to win - like at Huddersfield Town - it has been a problem. We lacked invention, we lacked quality there.

"We didn't really have much to do in the second half defensively, they had one attack, and we lost a goal. "It was human error for both goals, which you only want to see once every 20 games, not every other week.

"In terms of effort, I can't fault the boys and we have taken a good ratio of points - eight points to seven games - in the league because we have got the best out of them.

"We now need to add some quality to the squad because I think it will help players here, it will get a wee bit extra from them.

"I think there are apprehensive performers at the club. I do believe some players are better than they have shown.

"Hopefully new players will inspire them, the ones who are already here.

"What we saw at Huddersfield was not acceptable to me," continued McLeish, who has really been stung by the 2-1 third-round FA Cup upset, "regardless of what the Premier League teams put out in the competition.

"Blackburn played a really strong team at home, Santa Cruz was the only one missing I think, and they got hammered.

"But I take no consolation in that. I was very disappointed with the overall performance and I won't accept it.

"That phrase - if nothing changes, nothing changes - is absolutely right. It's vital we get new players."

McLeish said he and his staff had been carefully considering the potential new recruits.

"I have done a lot of diligence on players.

"Sometimes you can do too much and get nine positives and one negative, and you don't go for the players because of that.

"Somewhere along the line you have to make a decision.

"I know that quality doesn't come cheap, but we have to bring some quality in."

McLeish said he was confident the board would back him. Bids have already gone in for Murphy and McFadden, and are expected to be increased.

"The chairman, David Sullivan and Karren Brady, anything I have put into gear they have acted swiftly on. So that's a good sign," said McLeish.

"If I can present three or four names I'm sure can make a difference to this team, then I would expect the board would give me the OK and rubber-stamp it."