Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish: We can make Chelsea's bad week worse
Alex McLeish believes Birmingham City are capable of giving Chelsea a third bad weekend in a row by making it three defeats in four matches for the Premier League champions. Having lost to Liverpool and Sunderland and with John Terry and Alex missing in central defence through injury, Chelsea go to St. Andrews on Saturday looking unusually vulnerable. Whistle happy: Birmingham manager Alex McLeish'I don't think we will pip Chelsea for the league,' McLeish said, 'but can we win a home game against Chelsea? That's achievable. I'm not saying we will, I am saying we can and it is achievable. 'I've just got to say to my players and our fans that we've got to ensure Chelsea are going back down south saying 'what a game that was, what a game they gave us.' Whether that means we can win it or get something from it, whatever, we'll be going for it. 'They have had two. It is very rare to see the top teams losing three weekends in a row. But it is achievable and we can do it.' McLeish was back in Aberdeen yesterday, where he made his name as a player under Alex Ferguson. McLeish said he has spoken to Ferguson this week and the Manchester United manager had expressed his surprise at the state of the Premier League. Body blow: Chelsea skipper John Terry could face a lengthy period out of action'As things stand, there's four points between us and ninth place,' McLeish added. 'I spoke to Sir Alex the other day and he said it's a freakish league this season, a false league, those were the words he used. I thought, well, you can see where he is coming from. 'I do think everybody has got better. I think the competition in the Premier League is stronger than ever. The teams in the lower half of the table are all capable. The results have shown that; West Brom going to Arsenal and winning, Blackpool getting some incredible results as well. That shows just how competitive it really is.' McLeish said he has detected a change in attitude towards the established Champions League clubs. He said: 'What you are finding is that a lot of teams are saying they are going to "have a go." I think that has been a change. We went to Man City last week and played with two up. Brian Kidd spoke to us after the game and said they were a bit surprised that we pressed them so high.' McLeish also noted Chelsea's defensive uncertainty against Sunderland. He has 6ft 7in Nikola Zigic to worry Carlo Ancelotti further. Top class! Birmingham boss McLeish heaps praise on goalkeeper FosterDidn't you play for Barcelona? McLeish tells struggling Hleb to prove his class Explore more:People: John Terry, Brian Kidd, Alex McLeish, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Liverpool