Birmingham City boss McLeish demands his team seize the initiative

Mar 4 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish wants Blues to seize the initiative and go on the front foot throughout tonight’s home game against Bristol City (7.45pm).

Although Blues have been hit by serious injury problems, the manager is keen for a repeat approach of the last St Andrew’s match.

And then Blues should be able to go into Saturday’s visit of Southampton in good heart – and try to take the necessary six points from the week’s work.

That’s the target McLeish has set his side, who will be without eight players this evening.

However, Sebastian Larsson and Lee Bowyer return from suspension, Ulises de la Cruz has been added to provide options and Garry O’Connor could be back on the substitutes’ bench.

“Bristol have mounted a good assault, they’ve got themselves into a good position so they will be coming with a bit of confidence,” said McLeish.

“But we’re at St Andrew’s and we’ll be looking to improve on the weekend and for another good performance like we did against Forest.

“In that one we were on the front foot, went at them and everybody was on top of their game.

“We’ve had three away games, now two at home – Southampton after tonight – and we’ve got to get the wins.

“And I believe that we can get the six points. But it is more important for us to concentrate on this Bristol City game to start with.

“But that’s our target, certainly this week, to get the maximum.”

Before the 0-0 draw at home to Blackpool on Saturday, Bristol had shot up from 18th place to the play-off zone by winning eight out of ten matches.