Birmingham boss Alex McLeish praises ‘absolutely immense’ Ben Foster after Bolton win

Alex Mcleish (Pete Mariner)

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Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish hailed the performance of his goalkeeper Ben Foster as “immense” and praised the way his side battled to a 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers.

Foster made six outstanding saves throughout the match, particularly two from Daniel Sturridge in the first half and two point blank saves in the last seconds from Kevin Davies and Gretar Steinsson. And McLeish was grateful to his ‘keeper for securing a much needed three points.

“He had a brilliant game today,” he told reporters.

“Ben Foster is not going to keep everything out for us during the whole season but today he certainly helped us get two points we may have lost.

“He made some fantastic saves at the end, what a point blank save, he’s been absolutely immense.”

The win lifts Birmingham up to 14th position in the table and the Blues boss admitted today’s success was a must win game in their battle against relegation.

“It was a game that we felt we had to win,” he added.

“I don’t like to use that ‘must win’ because what if you don’t ?

“But it was a big result for us. Everybody knows to win is going to be a big result, it heaps the pressure on but they responded magnificently.”

Birmingham took the lead in the fourth minute through Kevin Phillips, and doubled their lead early in the second half through Craig Gardner and they had to hang on near the end following Johan Elmander’s consolation strike. McLeish was delighted the impact his experienced striker had on the game and was relieved the forced changes he had to make didn’t cost his side.

“He Phillips was brilliant, he was fantastic,” he continued.

“We did speak in January about more minutes for him and maybe can look back and say we could have used more but we did it for the right reasons,

“He’s a genius in the box, I’ve kept saying that in terms of technique he’s still the top forward at the club,

“He showed today his legs are OK, he scored a goal, brought people into play and he held the ball up.

“The changes didn’t help, and Bolton getting the goal after losing Stephen Carr was a blow, because they got a scent of blood and put us under the cosh, but the guys stood up to it magnificently.”

Captain Carr was substituted in the second half and McLeish explained that the full back had been withdrawn after concerns about his hamstring, but fortunately for the Blues they were able to survive without him. The win eases Birmingham’s relegation worries but McLeish refuses to relax in the last few months of the season.

“I’ve never said we were safe,” he stated.

“Even when we were in 12th or 14th, and no team can say that up to about 11th position.

“That the win is going to give us a lot of confidence.”