Alex McLeish reveals Birmingham City frustrations

Dec 21 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

ALEX McLeish has declared that his players will carry over their frustrations to Everton on Boxing Day.

The Blues boss insisted the postponement of Newcastle United’s visit due to the snow had left them fuming.

And McLeish backed his boys to show the necessary character and application to get Blues’ season into a higher gear.

“We were left very disappointed because the guys were really itching to get back to playing again, and trying to atone for the disappointment at Molineux,” he said.

“So, from that point of view, it was a shame. The pitch would have been okay, it was just the surrounding areas, the health and safety, would have been an issue for the punters.

“We have just got to try and get the boys on the training field now and make them as fit as possible for this really intense fixture list coming up.

“Sure, it’s quite demanding but I think you would want it that way. The challenge for us is to cope with it and deal with it.

“I know the players. Anything about them in terms of their make up and character should never be in question. If anybody can do it, they can.”

Everton are considered another under-achieving team this season and, very much like Blues, have struggled to hit the goal trail.

“People don’t expect Everton to be there at the bottom,” said McLeish. “The last season they climbed the table later in the season.

“But the league at the moment is what it is. We have to go to places like Everton – like we did at Manchester City – and come back to Birmingham with a suitable result. It would be nice to win. We won there in the FA Cup, but we know it’s not an easy place to go to.

“It’s tough everywhere in this league, Everton are one of the better teams and some day people expect them to click.”