McLeish eyes home improvement

Birmingham boss insists St Andrews results will be key

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 11th February 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

McLeish eyes home improvement

McLeish: Home hope

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Alex McLeish has warned Birmingham need to start winning at home if they are to pull clear of relegation danger.

Fellow strugglers Reading, Fulham and Derby have all left St Andrews with a share of the spoils, leaving the Blues only out of the drop zone on goal difference.

On their travels, McLeish's men have defeated Tottenham and claimed precious points at Arsenal and West Ham, but the Birmingham manager insists it is their form in the Midlands which will be vital come May.

Rollercoaster

He said: "A point away from home is always a bonus but we haven't taken care of the games at home. They have been a bit of a rollercoaster.

"The last home game against Derby was not a 'must-win' but it was a 'should-win'. We have got to be respectful of everybody but make sure we take the points. That is why where we are in the table.

"But we only have ourselves to blame that we haven't taken more points from our home games."

The former Scotland boss believes his team are learning fast as they come to terms with a top-flight survival battle.

Inexperience

McLeish added: "Maybe there's a bit of inexperience in terms of the Premier League when you compare us to other squads. That could be a factor at the moment. But they're learning very quickly.

"It was a great point at West Ham. We have already taken points from Arsenal and Tottenham and we can do the same again. But, like I said, points away from home are bonuses.

"I will emphasise that the players must be strong going into games - and they shouldn't see anything as a threat."