Source: Team_Talk
McLeish happy with Blues progress
The former Scotland boss failed to save Blues from the drop back into the Championship at the end of the 2007-2008 campaign but guided them back to the Premier League at the first attempt.[LNB]Now City are nestling in a comfortable mid-table position and will be looking to extend their unbeaten league run to five games when they visit Wolves on Sunday.[LNB]McLeish said: "It has been some education over the last couple of years. We have had all the emotions from A to Z and I can't believe it has gone so quickly.[LNB]"We are at a decent level if you compare us to two years ago. I believe we have made substantial progress on and off the pitch and, with the support of the new board, believe we can continue to improve as a club.[LNB]"We are improving and have just that bit more quality than two years ago but it is a work in progress.[LNB]"I've managed to change things in central defence and the back four and I'm gradually beginning to change things in midfield and forward areas.[LNB]"There is a still a lot of team building to be done and we hope we can take a significant step to doing that in January.[LNB]"If we've got Premier League ambitions, we need to bring in the quality."[LNB]However, McLeish has cast doubts over whether he will be able to bring in Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic when the transfer window opens.[LNB]He said: "I've always admired Jovanovic but, whether he is a player that can come here or not, remains to be seen. I am sure he has got many admirers.[LNB]"From the fans' perspective it is brilliant to see us linked to players like that but I don't want to disappoint the fans.[LNB]"I can name another six big names that would really excite them but, if you don't get them, then you disappoint people.[LNB]"So I would rather keep my business private and move forward. We will see if something can be done there (with Jovanovic). I don't know. It is doubtful."[LNB]Blues have taken eight points from the last four games with Sunderland, Manchester City, Liverpool and Fulham.[LNB]But McLeish wants his players to maintain the performance level shown in those games when they tackle Wolves, Wigan, West Ham and Blackburn in the next month.[LNB]He said: "You've always got your apprehensions facing any opponent but I don't see why we can't go to Wolves with confidence.[LNB]"The players have been playing well but for the last few years we have yo-yoed between the divisions and I need the players not to have the mentality of playing well for two or three games and then taking a rest.[LNB]"We need to maintain the performance level at Wolves that we have shown in recent games.[LNB]"We are bullish about going to Wolves but we were bullish about going to Manchester United and Tottenham, but maybe there is less pressure in those games.[LNB]"This is a big pressure game and it will be interesting to see how the players handle that because Mick (McCarthy) will be smarting a little bit and he knows it is a big game for them.[LNB]"I am expecting them to come out of the blocks and we have to be ready for that challenge."[LNB]McLeish has no fresh injury worries and club captain Damien Johnson will be available after recovering from a hamstring injury.[LNB][LNB] Wolves 11/8, Birmingham 2/1, Draw 9/4
