Source: Team_Talk
Michel will need time - McLeish
The 23-year-old play-maker will formally complete a £3million move from Sporting Gijon to St Andrew's on Monday subject to passing a medical.[LNB]Michel watched Birmingham earn a creditable 1-1 draw with Premier League champions Manchester United yesterday to stretch their unbeaten league run to a club record 12 games.[LNB]McLeish is adamant Michel will bring some composure and additional quality to the City squad.[LNB]But he accepts Michel will have to become accustomed to the physical side of the game and the total commitment for the cause evident in the current Blues squad.[LNB]The former Scotland boss said: "What are the qualities of Michel? He takes the ball, he is unfazed with the ball at his feet, he can make passes, and I want that kind of quality here.[LNB]"But Michel will have watched that game with United and he will see the other qualities that you need in the Premier League - the physical side of it, getting close to people, making tackles.[LNB]"He will be as amazed as Mikel Arteta was when I signed him at Rangers.[LNB]"He was stunned when players made a tackle and kicked it into row Z and took the man, ball, everything that the fans went delirious.[LNB]"In Spain that doesn't happen. That is seen as neanderthal. Michel will learn that side of things and will bring a composure and bit of quality to the squad.[LNB]"He is a midfielder in the same mould of Barry Ferguson."[LNB]McLeish believes Michel will be aware he may have to wait to break into the side given the run which has lifted Birmingham into eighth spot in the table[LNB]He said: "Might he have problems getting into the team? He will realise that as well. It is a learning process for him.[LNB]"But I will reiterate Arsene Wenger's outlook on bringing foreign players to the club in that they take a little time to settle.[LNB]"If you look at our own striker, Christian Benitez, he is looking really dangerous now and was a real handful for United in the second half.[LNB]"He has now settled in after taking time to adjust and he now gives the stick out to the players as well as taking it."[LNB]Michel will be ineligible to make his debut in Tuesday's home FA Cup replay with Nottingham Forest as he was not signed before the original tie at the City Ground.[LNB]McLeish may be forced to admit defeat in his pursuit of Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones after tabling an initial £11 million offer.[LNB]The overall package including add-ons and wages is understood to have sky-rocketed, forcing a rethink by McLeish who is determined not to drag the club into any financial problems despite the backing of new owner Carson Yeung.[LNB]McLeish said: "I want to take the club forward in a way where we are responsible. We are not just going for the big signings because there is money there and it is too big a step.[LNB]"I've seen what has happened to clubs over the past few years, spending beyond their means and upsetting the wage structure.[LNB]"I am not going to name and names but it is my moral obligation to take the club forward in small steps rather the big giant one."[LNB][LNB]
