Birmingham City: Cameron Jerome's call for back-up
Cameron Jerome
CAMERON Jerome today revealed he would welcome a new striker at St Andrew’s.
Jerome and Christian Benitez currently hold sway at Blues as Alex McLeish’s starting front pair.
And although the manager is scouring Europe far and wide for a new forward in January – and has taken Jan Novak on trial – Jerome said it was the right thing to do.
“It’s good if the manager is looking to bring a striker in,” he told the Birmingham Mail. “We’re a bit light in that department with Garry O’Connor out injured and Kevin Phillips getting on a bit now, although he’s still quality.
“Me and Chuco are both young players, and this is his first season in the Premier League, so there’s a heavy weight on our shoulders.
“If you look at most clubs they’ve got three or four strikers all competing and it’s down to the two on the day to keep their shirt.
“The manager has got a bit of money to spend and he will be looking to strengthen, not just up front but in a few areas.
“I think not only are we light in the forward department but we are lacking a couple of attacking players maybe, with a little bit of flair perhaps, another attacking midfielder or maybe a winger.
“We will see if he is able to purchase players who are going to come in and improve the squad.
‘‘If it happens, then that would be pleasing for everyone, from a team point of view.”
Jerome and Benitez have started the last six games together, four of which have been won, two drawn. Although Jerome only has one goal to his name so far this season and Benitez two, both have not been available regularly because of injury, fitness or international duty until recently.
When they click, Blues are all the better for it.
“The key is that if we get the support me and Chucho will cause havoc up there,” said Jerome.
“We are players who play on the last shoulder of defenders, if we get the ball down the sides, in behind or into our feet in the final third, we can do damage.
“I felt the link-up was there on Saturday at Wigan, our attacking play was much improved in the second half and it allowed the team to squeeze up and take the game by the scruff of the neck.”
Jerome said he wasn’t unduly concerned by his lack of goals, although he came close on a couple of occasions in the 3-2 win at the DW Stadium.
“The header I had was a little bit lower than I thought, I felt I’d got enough on it but it was a good save from the keeper,’’ he said.
‘‘They also got a good block to stop me with another shot.
“But it’s not about me it’s about the three points. As long as someone is scoring then we’ll pick up the three points.
“I was a bit unlucky but my turn will come again. It wasn’t to be for myself but the main thing is that the team keep winning and we keep going in a positive way.
“That’s our main concern. I’m sure the goals will come.”
