Source: Daily_Mail
Alex McLeish admits to fear of fatigue in Birmingham battle
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish admits concern over his players suffering burn-out is one of his biggest fears in the fight to ensure Barclays Premier League survival. [LNB]Blues have slipped into the bottom three after a woeful performance in Saturday's 3-1 home reversal against fellow strugglers West Bromwich. [LNB]McLeish was deprived of several key players through injury, including midfield duo Barry Ferguson and Craig Gardner who will again be absent for Wednesday's meeting with Everton at Goodison Park. [LNB] Big loss: Ferguson was missing from the Birmingham midfield as they crumbled against West Bromwich[LNB]The former Scotland boss has never doubted the commitment and honest endeavour of his players. [LNB]But he is worried about the danger of players running out of steam given their pursuit of cup glory on two fronts alongside the fight to retain top-flight status. [LNB]McLeish, whose side entertain Bolton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, said: 'You definitely worry about burn-out because of the amount of games they've played. [LNB]'The concentration that was there for the Stoke game and then the Arsenal game at Wembley in the Carling Cup was missing at the weekend. [LNB]Concerned: Birmingham boss McLeish[LNB]'Whether that was tiredness or burn-out, then that's the only excuse I would be prepared to make for them. [LNB]'There's not a lot you can do about it. I hear some managers saying that they never got anything out of certain players who had played in the World Cup until December time. [LNB]'We know that's the kind of things burn-out can do to you. But we're not feeling sorry for ourselves. We've got to get on with it.'[LNB] McLeish acknowledges Blues face a difficult run which includes away games with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham. [LNB]But he has seen his side rise to similar challenges earlier this season and will expect the same again. [LNB]He said: 'There was a period earlier in the season when people looked at the fixtures and tipped us to get no points out of 12. [LNB]'We ended up with six or seven pointsthrough beating Chelsea and drawing with Manchester City and Tottenham during that run. [LNB]'We know it's a hard run-in but we're capable of takingpoints. [LNB]'If I can get all my players back from injury, we've got a good chance (of staying up). [LNB]'If we get further injuries, then youare down to the bare bones and maybe you are bringing in young players who have never played in the Premier League before.'[LNB] McLeish is refusing to be drawn on all the speculation regarding the club's finances and whether or not bonuses will be paid for the Carling Cup success. [LNB]He said: 'It is not my department. It is not something I want to start debating in public. [LNB]'I am not sure if the bonuses have been paid but I'm sure you would have heard by now if they hadn't been paid! [LNB] Happy days: Birmingham celebrate their Carling Cup triumph over Arsenal at Wembley last month[LNB]'I don't get involved in the financial side. I leave that up to the board and as far as I'm aware, everything is fine. That was the last statement I heard at the weekend.'[LNB] Birmingham defender Martin Jiranek is set to return after missing the West Brom encounter with a thigh injury. [LNB]Ferguson (broken rib) and Gardner (calf) are still sidelined andMcLeish will run a late fitness check over striker Nikola Zigic who missed the Baggies game with a groin problem. [LNB]Defender Liam Ridgewell is expected to play despite needing an injection to ease a groin injury minutes before the kick-off against West Brom.[LNB] Birmingham allay financial fears as chiefs assure fans over EuropeEverton v BIRMINGHAM: Late fitness check on Zigic as Jiranek returnsEVERTON v Birmingham: Hamstrung skipper Neville to miss outAll the latest Birmingham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Craig Gardner, Barry Ferguson, Alex McLeish, Liam Ridgewell Places: Chelsea, Birmingham, Liverpool, Scotland
