Source: Team_Talk
Blues boss hints at Phillips role
Phillips has seldom featured during the opening half of the campaign with McLeish opting for the Cameron Jerome-Christian Benitez partnership.[LNB]As an alternative McLeish has occasionally pushed James McFadden forward from a wide left position into his preferred striking role.[LNB]But McLeish is set to provide more opportunities to Phillips once he has recovered from a minor groin problem.[LNB]The 36-year-old has started only one Premier League game since City were promoted in May.[LNB]The former Scotland boss said: "During the transfer window, I had the names put forward to me of many players who are in their 30s.[LNB]"I suddenly thought 'hang on a minute, I've already got Kevin Phillips here at Birmingham' - and he is still a terrific player with more ability than the names put to me.[LNB]"Because of the way we have played, he hasn't really had a look-in so far this season and, as you would expect, he is disappointed he hasn't featured as much as he would have liked.[LNB]"Any player worth his salt, and Kevin is one of those, wants to play. But there is every chance Kevin will have more game-time and make a contribution.[LNB]"Kevin has been a proven scorer throughout his career, is a proven goalscorer at Premier League level, and he will be eager to take his chance when it comes."[LNB]McLeish is adamant he is "not blaming anyone" after failing to sign a top quality striker during the January transfer window.[LNB]Blues were unsuccessful in attempts to land Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko and Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones.[LNB]McLeish is confident the substantial funds provided by new owner Carson Yeung will still be available to spend in the summer.[LNB]McLeish said: "I was disappointed (not to sign a striker) but I'm not blaming anyone for that because we courted a few players as you know.[LNB]"I am sure the money will still be there in the summer. The board tried to help me sign some big players in this last window.[LNB]"We prepared well for the January window. Unfortunately, the players we really courted, we weren't able to bring in.[LNB]"We will now get on with identifying more of the type of players we want to bring to Birmingham to help us make progress."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
