Alex McLeish warns Birmingham City players to stay disciplined against Fulham

Carling Cup: Alex McLeish, Arsenal v Birmingham City

Related Links

Teams

Players

Alex McLeish has stressed discipline from his Birmingham City players when they face Fulham Sunday.

The Blues manager needs a positive result against the Cottagers if his side are to avoid relegation this term.

To do so, the Scotsman feels his side must avoid the disciplinary issues that have plagued them in their last two matches.

“The message to the boys is to make sure that 11 stay on the pitch this weekend,” he told the club’s official website.

“Every week we talk about discipline and it’s not been a problem our discipline this season.

“They have actually been extremely good in that sense, but I do think they’ve had a bit of bad luck the last two games.

“And it would have to come at this particular period, which obviously has an impact when you lose key players.

“I don’t think it’s a case of the pressure getting to us – I think we’ve been unlucky.

“Gardner reacted to a tough tackle and he should have probably let the referee deal with it but there was a little push on each other.

“I don’t know if you’d see other big names coming together and getting booked for that kind of thing?

“We had to deal with it and unfortunately the last two games we’ve played with ten men for long parts of the games and that restricts my choices for later in the game where maybe you’re trying to put a player on or somebody that may make a difference and your choices get restricted.”

McLeish also offered a brief update of his Carling Cup-winning side’s injury status.

“David Murphy has a knock, he won’t be available,” he added.

“Stuart Parnaby is very experienced in the position, although he’s not a natural leftie.”