Keith Fahey insists that Birmingham City are up for the FA Cup as well as Premier League success
Jan 25 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
Keith Fahey
MIDFIELDER Keith Fahey today stressed Blues would continue to take the FA Cup seriously.
Fahey said a run at Wembley could go hand-in-hand with Blues’ Premier League exploits.
The 2-1 win at Everton put Blues through to the fifth round for the first time since 2006 and kept their unbeaten streak going.
It now stands at 15 unblemished games over the course of 100 days.
Blues are at Chelsea for a tough test of their capabilities on Wednesday but Fahey said Alex McLeish’s men feared no-one.
“You can’t not want to do well in the FA Cup,” said Fahey, who made a rare start at Goodison Park and slotted in impressively.
“You want to do your best in every game and competition you play. It would be nice to go further.
“We’ve got the league which is the priority but the Cup is something we’re taking seriously and when you’re on the run we are, you don’t mind the extra games, you just want to keep playing.
“I don’t think we would have been favourites going to Everton but we showed a few people again. Everton were on a bit of an unbeaten run as well (six games) so it was another good win for us.”
Because of Blues’ fine form and the remarkable durability of the side, McLeish has kept a settled starting XI since October and Fahey has had to make do with a diet of cameo substitute appearances.
His last 90 minutes in the Premier League came at the end of September against Bolton Wanderers.
“You can’t complain, the lads have been doing so well,’’ he said.
‘They’ve been flying. You just have to be ready.
“It’s hard coming on as a substitute, especially when you are protecting a lead. It was nice to get a full run and get my confidence up a bit.”
“I’m looking at the bigger picture. It’s great we’re playing so well and doing what we need to do to stay in the league.
‘‘That’s our aim and it’s best for everyone. I can’t be sulking because I’m not playing.
“It’s difficult coming on, the lads can be tired from defending and the game might be in the balance, but you just have to do the job you’re asked.
‘‘You can’t really shine then, you’ve just got to do it for the team.”
With Craig Gardner having his medical today and set to complete a £3 million move from Villa, following-on from Michel’s addition, pressure for places is intensifying.
Fahey said the transfer window activity was something that was part of football life.
“The lads don’t really talk about it,’ he said.
‘‘Everyone’s professional in that if we add players, we know it’s a good thing. It’s good competition in the camp.”
