Birmingham City Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Chris Hughton

• Ground:St Andrew's
• Capacity:30,016

McLeish: Blues are better now

13 Sep 2009 - 11:13:51

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Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish believes his current side is much stronger than the one which lost both local derbies to Aston Villa last time they were in the Premier League.

Ahead of Sunday's Birmingham derby at St Andrew's, a bullish McLeish has fired a warning to his Villa counterpart Martin O'Neill after adding the likes of durable trio Barry Ferguson, Lee Bowyer and Lee Carsley to a midfield unit.

The Blues lost 5-1 at Villa Park following a 2-1 defeat at St Andrew's the last time they were in the top-flight two years ago.

"A couple of years ago, Damien Johnson, Medhi Nafti and Fabrice Muamba were the three midfielders we had from January until the end of the season," recalled McLeish.

"As you know I've been trying to get some passing ability into the midfield. Over the past two years a lot of those players we've had in the central midfield have been more of the holding central midfield specialist types like Carsley and Johnson.

"So we've tried to change it from that point of view but also using the qualities of these lads as well. I think we're a better team now and better organised.

"So far this season our defence has done well, despite the injury problems we have had there and there's been a lot of good organisation in midfield. The strikers have played their part also in defending from the front.

"I've not been unhappy with the performances at all and the chances we've created.

"I'm confident that we can compete with anybody. I'm not saying they will beat everybody but I feel that they've got the spirit and determination and there's no lack of skill."