Source: Team_Talk
McLeish and co dust themselves down
Blues' impressive 15-match unbeaten run was halted by Premier League leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as they slipped to a 3-0 defeat, but McLeish expects to see a positive response at St Andrew's.[LNB]He said: "It has been a magnificent journey up to now. The long unbeaten run was fantastic and it was great for the players to go so long without a defeat.[LNB]"To go 15 games unbeaten is an amazing feat by the players and now we have to start again.[LNB]"They certainly have the character in the side to bounce back.[LNB]"Any side can come unstuck against Chelsea to be honest, especially when they are in that kind of form.[LNB]"When you go to Chelsea you need everyone to be in top form and Chelsea to be off form.[LNB]"But they are buzzing and we were outclassed and I don't think we have been the only team to be outclassed at Stamford Bridge this season.[LNB]"Psychologically, it should be a bit of dandruff to be brushed off by the players."[LNB]While confident there will be no lasting damage from the setback against Chelsea, McLeish admits his side face another stern test when they tackle Tottenham.[LNB]He added: "We are talking about a top-four team when you discuss Tottenham.[LNB]"But we are at playing at St Andrew's and that is the underlying factor for us in terms of how we feel when we are playing in front of our own supporters.[LNB]"The support has been fantastic and the players have excelled on their own ground.[LNB]"Spurs will come here with great form. Harry Redknapp has again worked his magic wand but we feel we can upset anybody at St Andrew's.[LNB]"We did it against Manchester United and Chelsea.[LNB]We would like to think that Spurs can go back down the road having known they have been involved in a very tough, tough game.[LNB]"They have some very good strikers in Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko.[LNB]"I would take any of them, please Harry, for nothing if I could but unfortunately these guys cost a lot of money."[LNB]Birmingham are boosted by the availability of new £3million midfielder Craig Gardner after his arrival from Aston Villa.[LNB]But he is likely to have to bide his time for a starting role with McLeish set to retain the side that started at Chelsea.[LNB]McLeish said: "Craig is bursting to be involved. I've seen him in training and he has a good level of fitness.[LNB]"He has a very good attitude and will sweat blood for the club."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
