Revealed: Birmingham City's challenge to James McFadden

Feb 27 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish says he wants James McFadden to prove he can contribute a regular flow of goals.

McLeish selected McFadden ahead of Christian Benitez to play up front at Fulham last Sunday, pushing him across from the left flank, his usual berth this season.

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It was as a centre-forward where McFadden made a superb impact after his £5 million move from Everton two years ago last month.

“I would like to see him get to that level again,” said McLeish. “There was no doubt he was on top form at the time.

“He was a top player, until he was struck down by injury. He struggled a bit in the Championship with more injuries and illness.

“Last weekend, I thought he led the line well. He popped up with a tremendous shot and was unlucky. It was a fantastic piece of McFadden flair when he hit the underside of the bar.

“We have got to see players getting in the box. Midfielders, from wide areas also, to help the strikers.”

So where is McFadden more effective?

“He prefers to play down the middle. Playing out wide in a 4-4-2 is maybe not his complete forté because there’s a lot more tracking back to do and James is a player who likes to be in the last third.

“It’s not his natural game tracking back so we have kind of turned him into a team player. He has always been there for the team and will work, but he would prefer to play up front. Now, he has got to convince me he can score up there.”

McLeish also noted: “We are in a great position in the league despite not having a lot of goals from our forwards.”

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