McLeish wants more from McFadden

McFadden made a major contribution up front but was then sidelined with a knee injury and did not look 100% fit when he came back towards the end of the season as Blues were relegated from the Premier League.The Scotland international has operated mainly on the left side of midfield during the current campaign with McLeish opting to use Christian Benitez and Cameron Jerome in attack.But McFadden was restored to his preferred role against Fulham last weekend and has been challenged by McLeish to convince him he can deliver the necessary goal power.McLeish said: "I would like to see James McFadden get back to the level he showed when he first joined us from Everton."There is no doubt he was in top form and looked a top player until he was sadly cut down by injury and illness and then he struggled a bit in the Championship last season."But I thought he led the line well last week at Fulham and was unlucky when he hit the underside of the bar with some typical James McFadden flair."McLeish admitted: "I think James prefers playing down the middle. Playing out wide, in a 4-4-2 system, is not his complete forte."There is a lot more tracking back to do and James is player who likes to be in the last third of the pitch."It is not his natural game and we have 'conned' him into being a team player although he has always been there for the team."He prefers to play up front but he has to convince me that he can score goals."I know he will score the occasional goal and normally it is a great goal. If he is a constant threat through the middle, then we have to consider it."He did well at Fulham and we will consider him again in this position."McLeish is aware Wigan will pose a stiff test for his team despite some poor results in recent weeks.He said: "I've seen Roberto Martinez's interviews in recent weeks. He is obviously frustrated with the results of late."He has a lot of good players and I know Roberto very well and I know the style of play he wants his team to play."If Wigan click, as we have seen several occasions this season, they can beat anyone."They have beaten Chelsea, they have beaten Aston Villa, and they can be a right good side on any given day."Roberto will be looking for them to produce the magic they are capable of. We are under no illusions that this is a tough game."McLeish confirmed he had met with Blues owner Carson Yeung after the game at Fulham when the pair chatted about potential new signings and his new contract.He said: "It was a brief chat about the future overall including new players we would like to freshen up the squad during the summer."We touched very lightly on the contract situation. I do not make it an issue. I want to concentrate, as do the players, on getting as many points as possible before the end of the season."I've got players I would like to pursue and there are a couple of unknowns that I have to do some work on."I prefer to go for players that I know and I am certainly not going to take a chance on anybody."It would have to be someone special to convince me. I would certainly like to have more than one or two looks at a new player."Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson is on course to be fit to face Wigan.The Scotland international suffered an ankle injury at Fulham and limped off in the closing stages but McLeish is confident Ferguson will have recovered in time. Birmingham 10/11, Draw 12/5, Wigan 16/5  

Source: Team_Talk