Source: Team_Talk
Taylor gets his chance for Blues
Taylor was Birmingham's number one last season and played a major part in them regaining their top flight status at the first attempt.[LNB]He lost his place when McLeish signed Joe Hart on a season-long loan from Eastlands, but his ineligibility to face his parent club gives Taylor a rare chance to remind McLeish of his ability.[LNB]The former Scotland boss said: "Maik has been brilliant. He has set a very good standard the whole season. He took it on the chin that Joe Hart has gone in ahead of him.[LNB]"But it has not dampened his enthusiasm or his attitude. He saw how professional Maik was when helping Northern Ireland get a shut-out away to the Czech Republic recently. Not many international teams do that.[LNB]"He's in good form and I have no qualms at all about bringing Maik in. I have to make hard decisions on team selection.[LNB]"They are never easy and they are never personal and it is just about how I see things. I am just glad we have two cracking keepers at the club."[LNB]Hart made a major blunder which allowed Sunderland to score a late goal against Blues last weekend.[LNB]McLeish said: "Joe beats himself up when he makes a mistake so I can imagine how he's feeling after that. But he is the sort of person who will work hard to make sure that doesn't happen again."[LNB]McLeish accepts that the mentality among some people in wanting big-spending City to fail is part and parcel of football.[LNB]He said: "I know what football is like. I've got a hard enough job myself without thinking about Manchester City.[LNB]"I know there is jealousy out there - not just for Manchester City but even for me. Some people want to see me fail. Some people are right behind me. It is just part and parcel of football.[LNB]"The little guy wants to see the big guy fail and Mark Hughes will be aware of that talk going on and will probably use it as a weapon for his advantage."[LNB]McLeish admits he is working closely with City's new assistant chairman of football Sammy Yu in trying to bring new players to Birmingham in the January transfer window.[LNB]He said: "I have got to forge a close relationship with Sammy and so far that is working pretty well.[LNB]"We are looking at a lot of different players and now we have to produce a short list of people we definitely want to bring to the club.[LNB]"That is not something that will happen in a couple of days. But if it is a player that can enhance the team, we will try and get them to the club.[LNB]"We have always kept players in mind in the event of there being some money to spend.[LNB]"But we will still try and work prudently and I'll try not to waste the club's money.[LNB]"But one or two people will now definitely come into the picture that we would not have thought about previously."[LNB]McLeish has been linked with several players, including many from his native Scotland but he is remaining tight-lipped over any potential targets.[LNB]He said: "I don't want to talk about names. It's better I make no comment. Some have been bandied about this week but I don't think it is right to start naming names."[LNB]Birmingham left-back Gregory Vignal is back in contention to face City after overcoming a hamstring problem.[LNB]Bu he may have to be content with a place amongst the substitutes given the impressive form of Liam Ridgewell who has been converted from a central defender into the full-back role.[LNB]Winger Keith Fahey is again doubtful because of an ankle problem.[LNB][LNB] Birmingham v Man. City. Click here to bet.
