McLeish rues late miss

Blues boss admits game was tough, Roeder staying positive

By Laura Slatcher    Last updated: 30th August 2008

McLeish rues late miss

McLeish: Tough game

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Birmingham manager Alex McLeish was left to reflect on a glaring late miss from in-form striker Kevin Phillips as his side recorded a 1-1 draw at Norwich.

With minutes left, Phillips was presented with a clear chance to settle the game after being put clean through by Gary McSheffrey.

But the veteran striker failed to get the ball past keeper David Marshall and Blues had to settle for a point.

McSheffrey had also missed from close range moments earlier in a dramatic conclusion to a match dominated by Norwich and McLeish acknowledged it would have been tough on the hosts had the late chances been taken.

"It was a tough game for us," admitted McLeish. "Norwich were on top in the first half and when we scored it was certainly against the run of play, overall the second half was much better for us.

Late chances

"The game opened up and we managed to get our foot on the ball and obviously we had those late chances.

"Overall a draw is probably a fair result but it's still disappointing not to have taken one of the two gilt-edged chances which came our way."

Of the miss by Phillips he added: "I would have put my home on it and duly lost it.

"Kevin is a terrific finisher with great experience and was exactly the sort of man you would want in that situation.

"Having said that you have got to give a lot of credit to the keeper for getting down his throat so quickly and making a good save.

Undeserved

Phillips played under Norwich manager Glenn Roeder at Watford and Roeder insisted it would have been undeserved if Birmingham had taken all three points.

"Personal feelings don't come into it," said Roeder. "I put the kiss of death on Kevin when he got in that position!

"It would have been ridiculous, disgusting, if Birmingham had won the game then.

"We got a standing ovation from our fans at half time, even though we were 1-0 down, and that said everything about our first-half performance.

"At times we were absolutely exhilarating. We have improved so much from last year, we've got better players and play better football and it won't be long before we get the win we so richly deserve."