Source: Daily_Mail
Alex Mcleish slams Birmingham booze boys
ShareBirmingham City manager Alex McLeish has admitted he was 'disappointed' that several Blues players stayed out drinking until 4am on Tuesday morning - describing it as 'an error of judgement'.[LNB] Becky Doyle, wife of goalkeeper Colin Doyle, told of the late night exploits, which followed the club's end of season gala on Monday night, on Twitter. [LNB]'P***** off with my husband getting in at 4am with fossy (Ben Foster) and waking me up,' Doyle posted.[LNB]'Celebrate next week when your [sic] safe. Have some respect.'[LNB] Questions to answer: Birmingham goalkeepers Ben Foster (left) and Colin Doyle[LNB] The comment was later deleted. [LNB]The Carling Cup winners are facing a fight for Premier League survival - they are only outside the bottom three on goal difference ahead of Sunday's match at Tottenham. [LNB]McLeish said: 'It was an error of judgement. They know I was disappointed with that. But there were a lot of players who weren't out at all, so they shouldn't be tarred with the same brush.'[LNB] Dismal: Birmingham crashed to a 2-0 defeat at home to Fulham last Sunday[LNB]Seemingly after being persuadedto remove her previous comment, Mrs Doyle said: 'so angry, what's the point of Twitter if your not allowed to write what you want on it'. [LNB] Clearly still upset, she later added: 'Golf bag and clubs still for sale. comes with one hung-over husband.' [LNB]Birmingham face a daunting trip to White Hart Lane on Sunday to save their season. Despite beating Arsenal at Wembley in February to claim one of the season's three major prizes, Blues are on the brink of relegation to the Championship. [LNB] Strange season: Blues won the Carling Cup, but are now in danger of relegation[LNB]After a dismal 2-0 home defeat to Fulham on Sunday the club sit 17th in the league table, level on 39 points with both Wigan and Blackpool, who occupy the two remaining places to be decided in the drop zone.[LNB] Even with a win at Tottenham, Birmingham cannot be sure of their survival, should Blackpool and Wigan both win heavily in their own final matches. [LNB]Uncertain future: Birmingham boss Alex McLeish[LNB]The episode is particularly embarrassing for boss McLeish, who could be facing the sack if Blues go down, but had backed his players' attitudes earlier in the evening when speaking at the awards ceremony. [LNB] He said: 'It is a test of character and these players have shown the character time and time again.' [LNB] According to the Telegraph, Foster, 28, and Doyle, 25, were among several players who had stayed out after attending the event at the National Indoor Arena, which featured a performance by Ocean Colour Scene. [LNB]Blues fans are sure to react with fury at the players' behaviour, particularly after the dismal defeat by Fulham last week.[LNB]But the club insisted that the players are 'fully focused' on the crucial battle on what has been dubbed 'Survival Sunday'. [LNB]A Birmingham spokesman said: 'The Big City Event was a chance for everybody associated with the football club to reflect on a historic season.[LNB] 'However, the importance of this weekend's final fixture of the Barclays Premier League was stressed throughout the evening. [LNB] 'Both the players and the management staff are fully focused on Sunday's hugely-important fixture at White Hart Lane.' [LNB] Birmingham players 'partied until 4am' days before relegation crunchWe won't splash cash! Pannu takes sensible approach at BirminghamKeeper Foster happy to stay at relegation-threatened Birmingham All the latest Birmingham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Ben Foster, Alex McLeish Places: Birmingham
