Source: Team_Talk
McLeish wants more from McFadden
McFadden made a major contribution up front but was then sidelined with a knee injury and did not look 100% fit when he came back towards the end of the season as Blues were relegated from the Premier League.[LNB]The Scotland international has operated mainly on the left side of midfield during the current campaign with McLeish opting to use Christian Benitez and Cameron Jerome in attack.[LNB]But McFadden was restored to his preferred role against Fulham last weekend and has been challenged by McLeish to convince him he can deliver the necessary goal power.[LNB]McLeish said: "I would like to see James McFadden get back to the level he showed when he first joined us from Everton.[LNB]"There is no doubt he was in top form and looked a top player until he was sadly cut down by injury and illness and then he struggled a bit in the Championship last season.[LNB]"But I thought he led the line well last week at Fulham and was unlucky when he hit the underside of the bar with some typical James McFadden flair."[LNB]McLeish admitted: "I think James prefers playing down the middle. Playing out wide, in a 4-4-2 system, is not his complete forte.[LNB]"There is a lot more tracking back to do and James is player who likes to be in the last third of the pitch.[LNB]"It is not his natural game and we have 'conned' him into being a team player although he has always been there for the team.[LNB]"He prefers to play up front but he has to convince me that he can score goals.[LNB]"I know he will score the occasional goal and normally it is a great goal. If he is a constant threat through the middle, then we have to consider it.[LNB]"He did well at Fulham and we will consider him again in this position."[LNB]McLeish is aware Wigan will pose a stiff test for his team despite some poor results in recent weeks.[LNB]He said: "I've seen Roberto Martinez's interviews in recent weeks. He is obviously frustrated with the results of late.[LNB]"He has a lot of good players and I know Roberto very well and I know the style of play he wants his team to play.[LNB]"If Wigan click, as we have seen several occasions this season, they can beat anyone.[LNB]"They have beaten Chelsea, they have beaten Aston Villa, and they can be a right good side on any given day.[LNB]"Roberto will be looking for them to produce the magic they are capable of. We are under no illusions that this is a tough game."[LNB]McLeish confirmed he had met with Blues owner Carson Yeung after the game at Fulham when the pair chatted about potential new signings and his new contract.[LNB]He said: "It was a brief chat about the future overall including new players we would like to freshen up the squad during the summer.[LNB]"We touched very lightly on the contract situation. I do not make it an issue. I want to concentrate, as do the players, on getting as many points as possible before the end of the season.[LNB]"I've got players I would like to pursue and there are a couple of unknowns that I have to do some work on.[LNB]"I prefer to go for players that I know and I am certainly not going to take a chance on anybody.[LNB]"It would have to be someone special to convince me. I would certainly like to have more than one or two looks at a new player."[LNB]Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson is on course to be fit to face Wigan.[LNB]The Scotland international suffered an ankle injury at Fulham and limped off in the closing stages but McLeish is confident Ferguson will have recovered in time.[LNB][LNB] Birmingham 10/11, Draw 12/5, Wigan 16/5
