Liam Ridgewell praises Birmingham City spirit

Sep 16 2008 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

LIAM Ridgewell today argued that Blues had the character to cope with the Championship.

Having to scrap for all their worth with 10 men against Doncaster Rovers when not at their best was proof, said the centre-half.

“It showed the spirit in the side. People were having to play out of position and come back in, like Cameron Jerome did.

“It showed the effort we want to put in to get the three points. It tested the character of the team. Sacrifices had to be made.

“We are not going to play well every game this season.

“We have to make sure we can grind it out, don’t concede a goal and with the level of strikers we’ve got, we should score.”

Mehdi Nafti’s dismissal, in the 24th minute, left Blues up against it.

And his reckless challenge has reminded Blues to be careful in the skirmishes.

“He always wants to go in for the tackles and it’s difficult once you are lunging for the ball,” said Ridgewell.

“Referees are looking to a straight red for that. I don’t think there’s any sliding or slipping over to get to ball allowed, you’re struggling even if you do that. It’s a fine line,” he added.

Cameron Jerome said Blues would be motivated to put in a better performance tonight at Bristol City, last season’s play-off finalists, who have drawn both league games at Ashton Gate. The striker said: “There are a lot of tough games in this league and this is one of them.

“It will be a different game than when we play at home, the expectation is always on us at St Andrew’s and it will be nice to go away from home and play in front of a big crowd and good atmosphere.

“I think the lads will thrive on that and will put in a good performance and we’ll show again what a good team we are.”