Alex McLeish: We're still an attacking threat

Mar 28 2008 By Colin Tattum

DESPITE being without injured duo James McFadden and Olivier Kapo, Alex McLeish believes his Birmingham City team are still an attacking threat.

He urged Mikael Forssell to step to the fore, and had encouragement for Gary McSheffrey.

"Forssell is in great form just now. He's been very, very sharp in training. He excelled and took a lot of confidence from the partnership with McFadden.

"He doesn't have that just now so he has to show his leadership and great Premiership experience to inspire the other lads.

"Pals in Scotland have said to me that every time they see Match of the Day, McSheffrey is always in the thick of the action, on the end of the chances.

"So he's getting the chances. He scored 17 goals last year and it's about him keeping believing, by getting into these positions that he will score.

"Even the best strikers - and he's a winger - go through that phase.

"Michael Owen said he knows sometimes he is going to miss, but it's still not going to stop him getting into these positions.

"It will come for McSheffrey. He has got a part to play between now and the end of the season."