Birmingham City transfer latest: Alex McLeish has his eye on Michel

Aug 3 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

“But, by the same token, he can also play a holding role as well if need be.

“He’s a player who can bring quite a few different permutations for us, if it is him who Alex wants.

“In that game I saw he proved those points for me, that’s why Alex went to have a look.”

Blues won 4-0 at Whaddon Road yesterday and two French trialists were on show.

Albert Fataki, who has been with Toulouse, scored an impressive goal; Landry Matondo, formerly of Valenciennes, was steady and strong although not outstanding in midfield.

Watson, who took charge of Blues in McLeish’s absence along with Roy Aitken, said: “We just now need to have a wee look and a talk between ourselves and [Academy manager] Terry Westley to see what is the best way forward with the boys.

“Albert certainly showed up well coming on and scoring a goal and Matondo has played a couple of games now and has shown that he can handle the ball and has a physicalness about him as well. They have both done themselves no harm.”

The victory was relatively routine, but Blues were made to graft in the second half.

“We got the best start with Garry O’Connor’s goal and that set the kind of the tone for us,” said Watson.

“Kevin Phillips and Seb Larsson got on the end of things as well, so it was a pleasing day.

“They have got a big, physical side and with our young inexperienced back four, albeit with Maik Taylor in goal, they stood up to a strong test.”