McLeish fury at Blues focus

Blues boss wants attention to switch from his players

By Chris Harvey   Last updated: 12th March 2008

Alex McLeish Birmingham

McLeish: Wants attention switched away from his players

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Birmingham boss Alex McLeish feels the spotlight is unfairly on his players following Martin Taylor's challenge on Eduardo which left the Arsenal striker with a broken leg.

Following the Blues' 4-2 defeat at Portsmouth, McLeish was asked to comment on midfielder Damien Johnson's first-half tackle on Pompey's Pedro Mendes.

Johnson appeared to catch the Portsmouth midfielder with an ugly lunge early in the first half of a thrilling contest at Fratton Park but referee Steve Tanner took no action.

And McLeish feels it is time attention turned to other clubs in the Premier League.

He told Sky Sports: "It was one of these quick challenges you see but you've got to start looking at other teams and highlight them - two or three that we saw at the weekend for instance."

The Blues boss also felt aggrieved at the penalty decision which gave Portsmouth a dream start as they raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of a Jermain Defoe double.

Consistent

Defoe put Pompey ahead from the spot after David Murphy was penalised for handball.

But McLeish wants referees to be more consistent with their decision-making.

"I don't think there's any consistency with referees - simple as that," he said.

"Murphy's hand was at his side. How many times have you seen it with the ball hitting the arm? We played Derby a few weeks ago; one of the Derby players jumped with his arms in the air and we did not get a penalty. Tell me the difference. I just can't get my head round the referees' consistency."

With some tough games to come in their battle to avoid relegation, the Scot took a number of positives from the defeat which leaves Birmingham just above the drop zone.

He said: "I was delighted with the spirit we showed. We had setbacks and we've bounced back from them.

"We've lost but now I want a big reaction for the game with Newcastle. If we win that then we go above them."

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