Alex McLeish bemoans ‘second rate’ Birmingham’s ‘schoolboy’ defending after 3-1 defeat to West Brom

EPL ; Alex McLeish – Gerard Houllier, Birmingham City v Aston Villa(Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish bemoaned the “schoolboy” mistakes that saw his Wembley heroes downed by a dogged West Brom and judged the performance of his players as “second rate”.

The Blues came back quickly from a second half Youssuf Mulumbu strike and restored parity before being swept aside as James Morrison and Paul Scharner found the net, with the League Cup winners failing to get back into the game.

McLeish’s cause wasn’t helped by injuries to Barry Ferguson, Craig Gardner and Nikola Zigic – who all starred in the League Cup final win over Arsenal – and the manager admitted enforced changes made things much more difficult, though the performances of those who did play left a lot to be desired.

He told reporters after the game: “I think Wembley had a factor in our performance today and the result. 

“The changes we had to make made it extremely difficult for us. We were looking for the guys to come in and give us fresh inspiration, but it just didn’t materialise and the goals we lost were schoolboy goals.”

He continued: “It’s not easy, definitely not easy, to turn out almost a completely different team each week and except a scintillating performance but I thought some of our stuff was second rate and not up to the standard I expect.” 

The former Rangers boss said his players are well aware of the scrap they are now in to survive, but made clear his lack of strength in depth. 

He said: “We know we’ve always been in that lower half of the table, so I don’t think it’s not about wake-up calls, you have to appreciate the bodies that are missing today. 

“Man United couldn’t play their reserves tomorrow against Liverpool and expect to win. I’m not saying we put a reserve team out today but we made five changes, and when you make five changes from guys that have won you the cup the week before it doesn’t necessarily follow that it’s going to be for the better.”

Birmingham’s League Cup success added half a dozen fixtures to their season, and with the Blues still in the FA Cup, McLeish was asked whether future knockout games would be a hindrance.

“They could be a burden,” he explained. “But how can you tell players to not try and not go through? It’s difficult not to pick your strongest team.” 

When asked if his players wanted a return trip to Wembley, he replied: “I’m sure they would, but we’d prefer to stay in Premier League.”