Source: Team_Talk
McLeish sticks with original goals
City have been the surprise team during the first half of the campaign and an 11-game unbeaten run has carried them into eighth position entering the new year.[LNB]And McLeish has already confirmed he will bring in two or three signings during the January transfer window to try to ensure Blues do not hit on a downward spiral.[LNB]But the former Scotland boss will not set his sights higher until Birmingham are mathematically sure of retaining their top-flight status.[LNB]McLeish said: "Listen, I've been through it all before. I know from many times in the past that you start making predictions and then everyone is waiting on you having a fall and are delighted when you do.[LNB]"We've just got to keep our feet on the ground. I don't want the players or anyone from the club going into the papers and making any idol boasts.[LNB]"We've done well, we are playing terrific football, but I was talking to Steve Bruce (Sunderland manager) and he was saying that since they beat Arsenal, they haven't won a game.[LNB]"That is the Premier League. It is ruthless at times and we know it can go the other way. We've just got to maintain our focus and keep working hard and do the things that have served us well.[LNB]"Will I change our goals for the season? Not until we get to the 40 points mark. We are eight points away. It seems quite close but it can be so far.[LNB]"We will just try and pick up points in every game we play and get to that level (40) as quickly as possible."[LNB]Blues will take a break from league action to meet the in-form team of the Coca-Cola Championship in Nottingham Forest in Saturday's FA Cup tie at the City Ground.[LNB]It will be a reunion for McLeish with Billy Davies who was a player under him when he was in charge of Motherwell.[LNB]He said: "I tipped Billy's team at the start of the season to be a contender for promotion because I know the way he builds his teams and wants them to play and he has got a mobile team.[LNB]"I have watched the last few games and Billy has built a cracking little team.[LNB]"I knew he was destined for coaching from when he was a player at Motherwell.[LNB]"He had his own team at that time, an amateur team which he trained every Wednesday, and he was taking notes on the training ground. He is a really conscientious coach."[LNB]Blues full-back Stephen Carr, who skippers the side when Lee Carsley is not in the starting line-up, is suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the campaign during the win at Stoke on Monday.[LNB]Stuart Parnaby is poised to replace the former Newcastle player after recovering from injury.[LNB]The likes of Keith Fahey, Gregory Vignal, Kevin Phillips, Lee Carsley, Gary McSheffrey and Franck Queudrue will come under consideration for rare starts.[LNB]But number two keeper Maik Taylor, who played instead of Joe Hart in this season's Carling Cup ties and against Manchester City, is ruled out with a back problem which has required an injection.[LNB][LNB]
