Soccer AM

Jerome: unhappy with refs

I've basically just gone out there and aimed to get into double figures. If you do that in your first season in the Premier League it's a decent return so that's what I'm aiming to do

Cameron Jerome
Quotes of the week

Cameron Jerome told Soccer AM that if he could change anything about the beautiful game it would be the amount of protection that goalkeepers receive.

Speaking on behalf of the strikers' union, the Birmingham number 10 was adamant that the men between posts are given an unfair advantage by referees whenever they came up against a forward.

In truth it's a debate which has raged on for a number of seasons now with a clear divide in opinion between attackers and those employed to try and keep them from scoring - but Jerome was happy to back his fellow strikers when asked what he would do if he was in FIFA president Sepp Blatter's shoes.

"If I could change anything it would probably be challenging the goalkeepers," he said.

"When you're standing on the goal line before a corner if you just move a little bit, even if you don't touch the goalkeeper, the ref just gives a foul straight away.

"And even when you go up for a header and the keeper comes out to catch it and falls over he (the referee) gives a foul"!

The England U21 international has already scored five goals for Birmingham this season - his first in the Premier League - but admitted there was a huge gulf in class between the Championship and the top flight.

"Basically it's just the standard of the game," he said. "You're playing against world class players week in week out so you have to raise your game and make sure you're on top form.

"It's been a good season for us and it's been really enjoyable so far because you always want to play against the best players and that's the only way you're going to get better.

"I've basically just gone out there and aimed to get into double figures. If you do that in your first season in the Premier League it's a decent return so that's what I'm aiming to do. Hopefully I'm on course and I'll do that in the next few games.

Birmingham currently lie 16th in the table but the acquisition of James McFadden from Everton is a clear indication of their intent according to Jerome who also revealed that the Scotland international was settling in well.

"He's settling in quietly he seems to be a quiet lad but he's a good addition to our squad and we need players like that," he said.

"Obviously he cost a bit of money and I'm glad that the club can show that ambition and go out and get players of his quality.

"It's quite daunting really. I remember my first day at Birmingham was pretty decent because it was in pre-season and it was quite a small group it's not the easiest of things coming into a new changing room."

"There will be a few that will make you work but when you come in you're obviously looking to take someone's shirt so there's going to be a few that are a bit weary of you and will be thinking who is the geezer coming in."