THE MIDLANDER: McLeish must take a bow if Birmingham book their ticket back to the Premier League

23 April 2009 14:59
It's 7.10am on the morning after Birmingham City have been relegated from the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]According to a well-known football agent, his mobile phone starts ringing. 'I'm feeding my 12-month old daughter,' he says, 'who's not best pleased at seeing the white stuff whipped away from her.[LNB]'Would you be, if someone did the same with your pint? Anyway I think: 'Who the bloody hell is this?'.[LNB] Point to prove: Alex McLeish is on the brink of promotion[LNB]'It's Alex McLeish. He says, "I was just wondering whether you had a contact for....."'[LNB]Seven-o-flipping-clock, the morning after that defeat to Blackburn Rovers. [LNB]The number is duly passed on. The business was successfully carried out, I'm happy to report. I tell this tale to outline just when work began to plot Birmingham City's Premier League return.[LNB]   More from Neil Moxley... THE MIDLANDER: Reffing hell! How the Football League is making a mockery of this season's climax16/04/09 Molineux holds the key as Wolves wobble on the brink of glory09/04/09 THE MIDLANDER: The five biggest flops of the season01/04/09 As the season reaches boiling point, here's my top five Midlands stars of the year26/03/09 West Brom 1 Bolton 1: Industry of Davies delights his boss22/03/09 Man of his word: Barry can leave Villa if he likes, says O'Neill20/03/09 Aston Villa 1 Spurs 2: Harry's revenge as O'Neill's top four dream is derailed 15/03/09 EXCLUSIVE: Mills claims his innocence as 'elbow' victim Elder fights for sight10/03/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEMcLeish couldn't sleep and had started work. If anyone thinks he doesn't take the job seriously, let me inform you otherwise. Right now.[LNB]And, if he manages to find that three points to cement the club's Premier League return this weekend, it will be difficult to overestimate the achievement. [LNB]Every manager works hard, of course. But McLeish has been parachuted into an alien land and a foreign football culture. And he's so very nearly pulled this one off. [LNB]Yes, he's had money to spend - in terms of wages - but consider the background to this season. And I thought Steve Bruce had it tough during his season in the division. [LNB]There has been widespread disenchantment among a supporter base that doesn't trust the club's owners. That's not really the manager's fault. [LNB]The decision-makers at the club have poked fun at him. And the players have been shot down as an honest bunch of grafters for whom the word excitement doesn't figure in the vocabulary. [LNB] Revelation: Lee Bowyer has joined on loan from West Ham United[LNB]McLeish has proved me wrong on at least one front - Lee Bowyer. I'll happily tuck into some humble pie over that one. I didn't think the midfielder had either the legs or drive to make a difference. Wrong, wrong, wrong. [LNB]But Stephen Carr's arrival has been his masterstroke. The Blues have already received a chunk of money from Stoke for Stephen Kelly - out of contract at the end of this season - and will do again when the Potters' status is confirmed. [LNB]Not only is Seb Larsson now playing as if on a string controlled by the Irishman, Rahdi Jaidi looks something like the centre-half that earned promotion two years ago. [LNB]The addition of those two old hands may prove the difference. It may not, of course, if it all goes horribly wrong in the next couple of games. [LNB]Rock: Radhi Jaidi has been superb for Birmingham[LNB]The players themselves deserve enormous credit. It's not been great. It's been downright miserable at times. But on how many occasions have those wearing a blue shirt been reduced in numbers this season and come up smelling of roses. [LNB]Doncaster and Wolves at home. And Plymouth too. Seven points from those matches, despite competing for an hour with 10 men. [LNB]Yes, the football has been poor. But I defy anyone to play on that pitch. I trod on it after the home game with Nottingham Forest. It moved.[LNB]So, City aren't easy on the eye. And they have had to put up with the tag of being the team that most others want to beat (due to their demotion from the Premier League and the hefty wage bill).[LNB]As for McLeish, he's had to manage this lot. Manage the grumpy punters, manage sceptical owners and try to keep the club on track.m He's kept his dignity - refusing to become embroiled in a public slanging match - and his integrity. Somehow his emotions have remained in check. Win or lose.[LNB]Of course, the Blues aren't there yet, but if they earn their three points against Preston on Saturday evening, it will be interesting to see what his reaction might be.[LNB]Come 7.10pm, I hope McLeish is taking a bow. Given all the circumstances, no-one can deny that he has earned it.[LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail