Cameron Jerome and Christian Benitez delight Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish

Mar 11 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

“Cameron can finish when he gets the chance, and it’s normally when he’s got no time to take it down or think about it. He’s a good finisher, he despatches it well, when it’s in between him and the defender.”

On Benitez, who has notched three times this campaign, McLeish commented: “I think you have got to look at his season and say although he has not scored a lot of goals, he has assisted on a lot.

“There’s been some little deft touches. He’s made a huge contribution this season. He has been dangerous for us.

“It was great to see him getting back to that the other night.

“He missed a good chance himself – he should have just put his laces through it – but the defender did well, working back and not giving up.

“But the wee man played well and looked as dangerous as I have seen him recently.”

McLeish took Benitez out of the side when he went into a slump and also injured his ankle.

But he was perky and threatening at Fratton Park.

“We have to get him on the ball, find in him those spaces he drops into where he causes so many problems for defenders,” said McLeish.