Birmingham City: Pitch no excuse, says Alex McLeish

Feb 14 2009 by Andy Walker, Birmingham Mail

BLUES boss Alex McLeish has urged his players to stop moaning that life is a pitch.

The shoddy surface at St Andrew’s appears to have been causing the home side a whole host of problems this season. something that many Blues players have alluded to.

Several of Blues’ attacking ventures have been visibly hampered by bobbles and divots in recent weeks as have some of Maik Taylor’s clearances from his own 18-yard box.

Despite the best efforts of head groundsman Martin Kelly, the persistent problem is down to a high percentage of meadow grass on the pitch this winter.

Meadow grass lays dormant during the spring and summer but can become troublesome during the winter months. The weak grass form has a shallow root making it prone to being kicked out as divots.

However meadow grass or no meadow grass, McLeish has told his players to stop making excuses and get on with it.

“We’re not blaming the pitch, forget the external factors,” said Big Eck. “Sometimes the players are looking for that – the floodlights were in my eyes, my studs were too long, the pitch was rubbish, the ref was rubbish.

“Focus on what they do themselves, get themselves to the highest level, that’s what they should be thinking for every game.”