Birmingham City FC

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• Founded:1875
• Manager:Alex McLeish

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McLeish admits to failings

12 May 2008 - 08:06:19

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Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish admitted his team had lacked the quality to stay in the Premier League after their relegation was confirmed on the final day of the season.

Fulham's 1-0 victory at Portsmouth made City's 4-1 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers academic as the Blues joined Reading and Derby County in the bottom three.

The former Scotland chief said: "I'm very proud of the players' response today.

"They produced an outstanding performance. All they could do was win but results didn't go for us elsewhere.

"We've missed out by one point. The players have punched above their weight many times this season, and they did it again today.

"We've only lost one of 13 home games since I've been here but we haven't won enough of them and that has cost us.

"Also there have been teams like Wigan and Bolton, who were under-achieving but new managers, Steve Bruce and Gary Megson, have got them going.

"People ask if I could have kept us up had I been here for the whole season? But that's just conjecture.

"I now aim to bring in some more players. I've now got the chance to put my own stamp on the club."