Birmingham City Football Club News

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

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

Slow start shocks McLeish

09 Feb 2009 - 13:07:14

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Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish was relieved to take a point from the 1-1 draw with Burnley at St Andrew's.

McLeish could not believe how poorly his side started against this season's Cup heroes, and once again had to rely on veteran goal-poacher Kevin Phillips to secure a 1-1 draw.

The former Scotland boss said: "We started very slowly, trance like, and some of the things that we did in that opening few minutes beggar belief.

"I wasn't happy with the way we started the game, just like the supporters, but we got the goal through perseverance and you have to credit Kevin Phillips.

"Our second-half performance was much more like us and, with 15 games to go, you can see other teams like Wolves and Reading struggling as well.

"It's not an easy league and I don't think we're unique to criticism."