Birmingham City: Eck has plenty to think about after defeat

Jul 22 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

“Not every game, but I think we might have to be flexible,” McLeish said.

“Significantly, and I don’t think it was the fault of the two centre-forwards, but when we went with two up front Stuttgart had that superiority in the midfield with Basturk, Sami Khedira, who gave England a bit of a chasing in the under-21 European Championship final, and Thomas Hitzlsperger.

“Those three caused us problems whereas our three in the first half never looked troubled at all.”

Lee Carsley, Lee Bowyer and Damien Johnson formed a resolute central three at the start, with James McFadden and Keith Fahey on the flanks joining in to support lone striker Cameron Jerome.

McFadden was Blues’ most crafty and creative player until making way for Sebastian Larsson at the interval.

McLeish added: “I thought he was excellent. If we can get James to top fitness then he’s a real threat and a real handful from that position, wide positions in general.

“So I’ve got to be thinking about him from the right, I think he’s more effective from the right side.”