McFadden calls for response

Playmaker desperate for Blues to bounce back

Last updated: 25th April 2008

Birmingham striker James McFadden

McFadden: Rallying cry

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James McFadden has urged his Birmingham team-mates to bounce back from the 5-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Blues missed the chance to climb out of the relegation zone as they were thrashed by their local rivals and they now face another daunting test against Liverpool this weekend.

McFadden realises the importance of getting back on track immediately and is desperate to see the right response on Saturday.

He said: "We have to get Sunday out of the system. It was a disappointing day for everyone. It wasn't good enough and the only way to put it right is to get a good result this Saturday.

"We watched a video of the game on Thursday. We don't usually look back on games but we had to watch it and get it out of the system.

"Personally, I didn't need to see it again because I know how bad it was and we need to correct the mistakes for this weekend.

Terrible

"It was terrible last week. You don't want to lose any game, but to be beaten in a derby like that makes it even worse. The good thing is we have tended to bounce back after a bad result and we have to do the same again against Liverpool.

"We've got ourselves into this position and we need to get ourselves out of it. We've got enough quality and we're a good enough team to do that."

McFadden believes the players owe it to Alex McLeish to turn in a good performance, explaining that the manager has remained upbeat and loyal to his squad despite last week's humiliation.

He said: "The manager is hurting at the moment. You never like losing but when it is your first derby, and the way we lost, he will not like it.

"He is a big character and he has been great this week even though we let him down at the weekend. He will make sure we are ready for the game on Saturday.

"He has been the same as normal this week and he is like that win, lose or draw. That helps the boys to remain the same and prepare the same way."