Birmingham City Football Club News

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

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

McLeish ready for Blues fight

18 Mar 2008 - 07:58:27

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Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish accepted that the fight to avoid relegation will go all the way to the end of the season, following the Blues' 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United.

City hit the front just past the half-hour mark through James McFadden against the Magpies, but were pegged back when Michael Owen pounced early in the second half.

The result left the Blues just two points clear of the drop zone and facing a tough task to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

McLeish said: "We are very difficult to beat at St Andrew's. Chelsea are the only team to beat us since I came here and we have drawn a lot of games, but we have given everyone a game and a half.

"It leaves us a point further ahead of Bolton, we now go above Sunderland and I know there is a lot to fight for between now and the end of the season.

"It is what happens next which is the key. It is not what has happened before. There are plenty of points to play for, for everyone, and it is going to be a battle.

"I think Newcastle deserved something with their second-half performance.

"The first half belonged to us, but we couldn't quite get the second goal to give us a bit of breathing space."