Source: Team_Talk
Blues boss expects ref justice
irmingham boss Alex McLeish is confident ref Martin Atkinson is the right man to handle Saturday's clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.[LNB] Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has criticised aspects of Birmingham's approach in the past and hit out at midfielder Craig Gardner after last season's 1-1 draw at St Andrew's.[LNB]He has also been unhappy with some of the tackles made on his players, most notably when Eduardo's leg was broken by a challenge from Martin Taylor whom he claimed should never play again.[LNB]But McLeish has faith in Atkinson not to be influenced by Wenger's comments.[LNB]The former Scotland boss said: "There is a fine line for referees. The British refs tend to kind of let the play flow. They allow the hard, robust challenges.[LNB]"I would hate to think that Arsene's comments would influence a referee in the English game.[LNB]"We have Martin Atkinson this weekend who was on duty as part of the officials team at the World Cup final and he's a top referee.[LNB]"I am sure he will give a strong performance and you have to be strong at somewhere like the Emirates.[LNB]"We are the small team going to play the mighty Arsenal and you hope that the referee's fair. Martin Atkinson and the British referees all come into that category."[LNB]When asked if he thought Wenger was "a whinger" or trying to influence referees, McLeish said: "Well Sam (Allardyce) said he thought that was a clever tactic, to influence referees.[LNB]"But as I said, I think the refs are above all that. They should be above all that. They have to be strong.[LNB]"We don't want big crowds influencing the referee when there's a challenge or something like that.[LNB]"That shouldn't go against us, especially wwhen you have referees of a top calibre like Atkinson."[LNB]On-loan Birmingham midfielder Alexander Hleb will face his former club, but striker Cameron Jerome is doubtful after suffering an ankle injury in training.
