Forssell - It's different now

Striker sure Blues can avoid 2005/2006 repeat

By James Dall   Last updated: 11th March 2008

Mikael Forssell celeb Birmingham v Tottenham

Forssell: Believes

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Mikael Forssell believes Birmingham City are better equipped to avoid the drop than during the 2005/2006 campaign.

Blues suffered the agony of relegation in 2006 as former manager Steve Bruce was unable to guide his side to survival.

Two years on, and with Alex McLeish now in charge, Birmingham face a fierce battle to avoid Championship football next season.

But Forssell is sure that Birmingham, who sit a point above the relegation zone, have the quality and belief to avoid the drop.

"I think we are in a completely different situation. That season we had a lot of injuries," he told Sky Sports News.

"There was also not the best feeling in the team. Obviously it is different now. I think you can see that from our recent performances."

Strike-partner

Forssell has struck a decent partnership with January signing James McFadden, with the Finland international scoring his first career hat-trick against Tottenham earlier this month.

And, with 10 games of the season remaining, McLeish is looking to his side's firepower to help guide them to safety.

"Players look up to him (McFadden), they admire him. They appreciate people with quality," McLeish said.

"And McFadden has got to keep doing that, aided by Forssell - a proven international and Premier League goalscorer.

"The other week the two of them were on fire, and we look for more of that relationship in the coming weeks."