Why Birmingham City can learn lessons from their Far East adventure

Jul 24 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish has admitted that certain aspects of Blues’ tour to Hong Kong and China have not been ideal.

But he said his players simply had to accept the reasons for Blues coming out here to the Far East, and that there were bound to be teething problems during such a grand adventure, something the like of which has never before been undertaken by the club.

Before Blues departed, McLeish warned that the trip could not become a ‘circus’, with commercial and PR duties taking precedence over football and training.

Carson Yeung is keen to exploit the Chinese and Far East market and generally raise awareness of Blues while they are on his patch.

“Listen, it’s a new experience for us to come out here,” said McLeish. “We have to thank our hosts. They have pulled out all the stops to make us extremely welcome in Hong Kong and China. They have been absolutely superb.

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“There has been a lot of travelling involved, there have been early rises. That’s not totally ideal for preparation.

“I have told the players to keep their cups half full and just to put it down to an educational experience.”

Blues face Liaoning Hongyun in Shenyang today (12.30pm GMT), the third destination of the tour.

The squad took a four-hour train journey from Beijing to Shenyang in the north east of China, and will then move on to Guangzhou tomorrow morning. The travelling has started to take its toll.

McLeish added: “Yes, there was always going to be certain teething problems. But by and large it has been wonderful.

“Carson Yeung, Peter Pannu and their entourage have pulled out all the stops to make it work for us and Sammy Yu has obviously done some of the organisation too. We’re grateful for their efforts, and the experience.”

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