McLeish: Thinking long-term

Related links

Teams

• Birmingham City

Also see

• Birmingham fixtures
• Birmingham stats
• Birmingham forum

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has revealed his long-term aim for the Blues is to establish them as a Premier League side.

His revelation comes as the Blues' bid to avoid the drop took a big blow last time out with their 2-1 defeat to relegation rivals Reading.

This means they are now just one point above the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's crucial home clash with Manchester City.

Despite their precarious position, McLeish is still looking to the future and is aiming to establish Birmingham as a permanent Premier League force.

He said: "We are making plans for things I would like to see changed. It is a bit of long-term aim. There is a short-term aim to stay in the Premier League - but there are long-term ambitions there as well.

Stabilise

"I would like to think that we could stabilise the club and try and establish ourselves in the Premier League. Therefore, I am trying to target certain players I believe can do that for us.

"I think everyone has seen with James McFadden, Mauro Zarate and David Murphy coming in during January that things have improved and they have been a help to the players already here.

"I would like to bring similar quality to the club in the foreseeable future. I certainly believe that there's a long-term job to be done here at Birmingham.

"It would be great if we stayed in the Premier League because we have a bunch of young boys, plus one or two experienced campaigners, who would benefit from the experience.

"If we can keep the Premier League status I am absolutely certain, convinced, that I could strengthen this team significantly."

Last Saturday's defeat - coupled with victories for relegation rivals Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough - means there is now a three-point gap to the pack above.

Determination

But McLeish believes his side have the determination to avoid the drop.

He said: "After the results last weekend, I know what some people are thinking but you won't get that from me, my coaching staff or my players.

"After the Reading game, I didn't see a group of players down on their luck, feeling sorry for themselves, feeling that was it.

"I saw a group of players who were annoyed, mad that they didn't take something from the game. They were not low - they were angry but determined to get the result we need this Saturday.

"The season is far from over and I am convinced we have it within us to sustain our current status.

"It is about players holding the nerve and the belief in themselves and in recent games I don't see nervousness in our play. Reading was as good a performance we have given in my time here in an away game."