Alex McLeish orders strikers to go on the attack

Feb 22 2008 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish has challenged one of his attackers to 'light the touch paper' ahead of tomorrow's visit of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The Blues boss, whose team are among the division's lowest scorers, is set to continue with the Mikael Forssell-James McFadden partnership up front, after they impressed him last time out at West Ham United.

And he has called on either them or the others who do their stuff at the cutting edge to provide Blues with a spark for the remainder of the season.

Olivier Kapo, who is free from suspension and expected to return, has also been asked to step up and inspire.

"Scoring goals, that's the final thing, isn't it, something we are not quite been able to do," said McLeish.

"I don't think much has been wrong with our play other than finding that finishing touch.

"Things are not quite falling for us in that department.

"That's been the key for me and that's why I've juggled so many forwards up in the air.

"There's nobody saying 'you can't leave me out, I'm scoring goals every week, I'm looking a threat every week'.

"That's the reason for bringing an experienced goalscorer in Mikael back into the fold. And he's looked sharper the last couple of weeks.

"I saw good signs between him and James in the West Ham game and I'm just waiting for someone to light the touch paper."

Turning to Kapo, McLeish confirmed he was one of the conjurers who could make all the difference. "Kapo, going with the fitness statistics, he's up there with the top Premier League players.

"But we know what we are also craving from the big fella is the final thing - getting on the scoresheet or else providing.

"There have been flashes of brilliance. He did well in the Chelsea game, there were a couple of things against Derby.

"It would be nice to see all these guys getting themselves scoring goals again."

McLeish, who selects from a fully fit squad, said that even though Blues drew at Arsenal five weeks ago, nobody could rest easy tomorrow as they strive for a first victory in nine league and cup games to ease relegation worries.

"Everybody needs to play at the top of their level," he said. "We can't afford passengers.

"Little Gordon Strachan was talking about Celtic's game against Barcelona and he thought four or five of his players were off it. We can't afford that tomorrow.

"If there's anything in Arsenal's defence that's weak, we have to try and exploit it.

"They do look unbeatable at times, some of the football they've played this season, but we know on a given day we can get the three points. I'm not saying we will, but we can."

McLeish said: "I think we have played well at St Andrew's without necessarily getting the rewards.

"We should be three or four points further on than where we are."