Source: Team_Talk
McLeish rules out top six for Blues
irmingham boss Alex McLeish believes it is "ludicrous" to suggest Blues could establish themselves as a top-six side in the Premier League.[LNB] McLeish is aware that expectation levels have risen amongst supporters after Blues finished ninth last season.[LNB]But he has echoed the thoughts of former City manager Trevor Francis, who feels a top-six berth is an unrealistic aspiration.[LNB]McLeish said: "It is ludicrous to suggest that. It is incredible that some people think that.[LNB]"But my experiences in the game tell me it is nigh on impossible.[LNB]"We can all dream and have ambition but there are about eight teams in there who, over a length of the season, will always come to the fore.[LNB]"Then the rest are fighting for the other places.[LNB]"If we come ninth again, it will be phenomenal.[LNB]"I would judge that even better than last season. Finishing in the top 17 is our priority again."[LNB]Meanwhile McLeish has challenged Birmingham's fringe players to show they are worthy of being amongst his first-choice selections in tonight's home Carling Cup clash with MK Dons.[LNB]"The guys playing tonight have got to show what they can do and put pressure on the ones who started at the weekend," he said.[LNB]"They've got to say 'I'll show the manager I'm worthy of a first-team place'.[LNB]"The gauntlet is being thrown down to these guys to show what they can do."
