Source: Team_Talk
McLeish relieved to avoid cup shock
Alex McLeish admitted he thought Birmingham were on their way out of the Carling Cup before they finally overcame Brentford on penalties.[LNB] The League One Bees looked set to follow up the scalp of Everton in the previous round with another giant-killing when Sam Wood broke the deadlock mid-way through the second half.[LNB]But veteran striker Kevin Phillips levelled in the 92nd minute and, after extra-time had failed to resolve the tie, City came out on top 4-3 on penalties.[LNB]McLeish said: "Brentford were superb, well organised and battled. I thought we were out the cup.[LNB]"But, when you have the hunger and desire to keep going right to the end, I have to salute the players.[LNB]"We put together three or four passes together for the first time for the goal. We lacked creativity and imagination before that.[LNB]"That made it look like we wouldn't score but Kevin did what he does best, we're in the hat and that's what counts.[LNB]"We're in the quarter-finals and it's all part of the development of the club."[LNB]Brentford boss Andy Scott was proud of the performance of his players in coming so close to another major scalp.[LNB]He said: "I think we have won a lot of friends. I'm very proud of my players.[LNB]"They are exhausted now. I don't think anybody can say that we didn't deserve to win in the 90 minutes.[LNB]"We gave them some real problems but we can be proud."[LNB]Scott does not believe Brentford have received the credit they deserve for their achievements in recent years.[LNB]He said: "I think Brentford as a club hasn't had the recognition it deserved over the last few years.[LNB]"We have a strong club, I am a young manager, we have players we have brought out of non-league.[LNB]"We've proved we have a strong club with a good fan base, good enough to bring 3,000 supporters here tonight.[LNB]"We didn't get anybody in the team of the year when we won League Two by six points and I didn't get manager of the year.[LNB]"That doesn't matter. What matters is we have a good club."
