Birmingham City FC

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• Founded:1875
• Manager:Alex McLeish

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McLeish: Europe not a target

10 Mar 2010 - 08:36:27

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Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is still refusing to accept that European qualification is a possibility for his in-form side this season.

The Blues moved up to eighth place in the table following Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Cameron Jerome's double clinched a 12th league victory of the season, but McLeish has again played down suggestions that his side could earn a Europa League berth.

Asked if Europe was a target, he replied: "I don't think so. I don't think it's realistic. To get places in Europe, you need a striker scoring 15, 16 goals.

"We'll always be under pressure to get that spot because our strikers won't, unless they go on an unbelievable scoring burst.

"You'll perennially see that the teams who get there have a striker who is up 16 or 17 goals and another one not too far behind.

"We've been a team which has defended well from the front this season.

"Perhaps we have asked more from our strikers from a defensive point of view than other clubs.

"That's possibly why our strikers have not scored more goals."