Birmingham City: Alex McLeish asks fans to trust him

Oct 8 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish today urged Blues’ supporters to trust him after his side’s stuttering start to the season.

The manager insisted Blues hadn’t suddenly become bad overnight and he and his coaches were well aware of problems that needed to be addressed and would be working hard to that end.

Blues have taken seven points from seven matches but not scored in their last three at St Andrew’s.

That, and elements of the performance, resulted in some booing at the end of the Everton defeat, which was Blues’ first home loss in 22 games and 13 months.

McLeish, during his tenure, has proven that while he has a thick skin, he won’t simply disrespect the faithful by turning a deaf ear to any constructive criticism.

“I understand people are frustrated and so are we,” he told the Birmingham Mail.

“But the fans have got to trust me. I have been in this game a long time and we are aware of what we need to improve upon. We are trying to find the right solutions, trying to find the right balance.

“There have been some changes since last season and we have dropped some big points – but there are plenty still to play for, plenty and we have a team that is well capable.”

The formation has become a vexed issue and McLeish was prepared to explain his thinking.

“We have forwards still striving to find their feet and, as yet, I’ve not found the potent combination, despite trying them all,’’ he added.

“So, at the moment, I don’t feel we’re quite strong enough to play 4-4-2. I can’t say it would improve us.

“We see the players in training, we see them every day, we know where they’re at and we are looking for more production from them.

“We are playing 4-4-1-1. We are trying to get players forward, we encourage them – Hleb, Fahey, Bowyer, Larsson were all encouraged in the last game.