Source: Team_Talk
Jerome finishing is final challenge
Alex McLeish fears Birmingham may not be able to keep striker Cameron Jerome if he adds extra goal-power to the other assets of his game.[LNB] Jerome has often been praised by McLeish for his work-rate, pace and power and was City's leading scorer last season with 11 goals.[LNB]McLeish believes he only needs to add a greater composure in front of goal to become the complete striker.[LNB]But the Blues boss accepts it would be hard for the Midlands club to then retain the services of the former England Under-21 striker who has just recovered from an ankle problem.[LNB]McLeish, whose side entertain West Ham on Saturday, said: "It is great to have Cameron back. He is a powerhouse, he has got a lot in his locker.[LNB]"But he can still can improve the final thing, the finishing. I think Cameron should be one five goals now this season with the chances he has had.[LNB]"He had one against Everton in front of goal, one up at Bolton when they got back to 2-2. He is very capable of scoring goals.[LNB]"It is just about working on trying to have ice in the head in the final third (a cool head) as Ian Wright used to say rather than just tightening up a bit."[LNB]McLeish admitted: "If he goes to that level, we will probably not be able to keep him.[LNB]"I would think a bigger club would want him, a guy with pace and power.[LNB]"If he gets his finishing up to a level, he will be a guy who would go to a higher level.[LNB]He did well at Cardiff to get to this level. Now can he go to the next level is the challenge."[LNB]McLeish knows his side have to start taking their chances after tightening up defensively with successive clean sheets against Blackpool and Aston Villa in collecting four points.[LNB]He said: "I've never really doubted our ability to defend. I think we have lost some silly goals this season which is unlike us.[LNB]"There have been some self inflicted things which have been unlike us like three own goals.[LNB]"From our point of view we've lost too many goals but I still think we've got a good ability to defend as a team.[LNB]"The main thing for us is to start burying the chances at the other end.[LNB]"It's about having that wee feel for the final moment in the box, that little bit of subtlety, class and confidence that makes the difference."[LNB]McLeish will take nothing for granted against West Ham even though they are currently bottom of the table.[LNB]He said: "The perspective people have when teams are bottom of the table is 'you should beat them, they are bottom'.[LNB]"Say, for instance, Manchester United were having a stinker of the season and had loads of injuries and they were bottom. People would still expect you to beat them because they are bottom.[LNB]"But, of course, we know that doesn't follow and anything we get against West Ham we will have to work extremely hard for because they have got some good individuals.[LNB]"They are maybe lacking a bit of confidence but, if they are, we have to capitalise."[LNB]McLeish will hand a late fitness test to key defender Roger Johnson who suffered an ankle injury against Villa.[LNB]But he is mindful of not risking the centre-back if it means he would then face a lengthy absence.[LNB]McLeish said: "He took a big responsibility in staying on at Villa but he did it and he handled it well. At that particular stage of a game, you've got to be able to trust an individual.[LNB]"But we will be able to see in the fitness test whether he is capable or not, with his mobility, and be very thorough.[LNB]"He has had a scan on his ankle and an injection as well.[LNB]"He has not missed a Premier League game. He is an ever present. He turns up for his work every week, a fantastic character.[LNB]"The key to this is if we play him, whether it then jeopardises him for a month or two months because he is a vital component of the squad."
