Michel getting up to speed at Birmingham City - Alex McLeish

Mar 23 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish has admitted that Michel is still learning to ‘get up to speed’ with the frenetic nature of the Premier League.

But the Birmingham City boss insisted that the more the Spaniard plays, the more it will stand him in good stead for next season.

Michel was selected to start at Sunderland ahead of Lee Bowyer.

He had a somewhat torrid time during the opening 20 minutes when the Black Cats blitzed Blues, before settling down to find rhythm, space and his passing range.

“Sometimes changes can disrupt the momentum of the understanding of the team,” said McLeish, in reference to Blues’ start at the Stadium of Light.

“I have got to see what the other guys can bring us and sometimes that can disrupt momentum because players have been used to playing with others, there’s an understanding. I made a change to central midfield, I brought Michel in.

“I still feel he’s got sharpness to find in the Premier League and he has got to be considered for next season, that’s what we are looking to.