McLeish warns Benitez

Blues boss not happy with diving

Last updated: 11th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

McLeish warns Benitez

Benitez: Told not to dive

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Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has told Christian Benitez he will not tolerate him diving.

The Ecuador international returned to The Blues' starting line-up in midweek for their 2-1 win at Portsmouth.

However, he was booked for diving at Fratton Park and McLeish was less than amused with his South American star.

"Christian went down the other night and the referee quite rightly said it was a dive and he was spot on," said McLeish.

"Christian has got to learn the culture here and that we frown upon things like that. He has to stay on his feet.

"He will now have to stay on his feet because the next time he gets clipped I'm sure the referee will say; 'We've seen him diving and I'll book him for that'.

"Hopefully referees will treat Christian fairly but I'm certainly going to have a word with him about that situation. You don't dive."

Benitez remains on loan at Birmingham, and McLeish remains coy over whether the deal will become permanent.

"We have still got to make that decision. He definitely gives us something but he's still a work in progress," he continued.

"In terms of the English league he has still got things to learn. He had a recent injury and his confidence levels went a bit low.

"But he showed good things when he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup game at Portsmouth and looked his old self again in the league game with them on Tuesday.

"He hasn't scored many goals but his six or seven assists have been really valuable in getting us into the position we are in at the moment."

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