Birmingham City: James McFadden: We've shown we belong in the Prem
Aug 18 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
JAMES McFadden has admitted Blues needed to convince themselves they were ready for Premier League football.
For most of pre-season criticism has flown their way because of poor displays, and the bookmakers and most pundits rated them as probable relegation fodder ahead of Sunday’s opener at Manchester United.
Blues, who emerged with no little credit despite losing 1-0 at Old Trafford, had to give a good account of themselves, for their own piece of mind if anything.
“I think we had to prove things to ourselves as much as other people,” said the mercurial forward. “All right, you don’t want to read too much into pre-season because the boys basically want to get fit. That’s what it’s about.
“We felt fit enough, but in the games we weren’t good enough, we weren’t sharp enough and it was a worry coming into Man United. But as soon as you get the buzz of the crowd, the noise is there, it’s different.
“You turn up for games in pre-season when there’s nothing at stake and there’s no crowds, they don’t have the same feel.
“You’re trying to get sharp and when there’s nothing really on it – it shouldn’t be the case, but it often is – it’s harder to get yourself to the level you need to be at.
