Birmingham forward James McFadden believes Blues have finally found their feet in the Championship as they gear up for their top-of-the-table clash with Wolves.

The Scotsman concedes Alex McLeish’s side found the drop from the Premier League tougher than expected but reckons they are now getting to grips with the new environment.

He said: “Subconsciously, I think when we came down from the Premiership, we didn’t realise how hard it was going to be. We knew it was going to be tough but I don’t think we realised quite how hard.

“When anybody comes in to the team now, they know they’ve got to run until they can’t run anymore. I think that’s definitely been evident in the last few games.

“After the Charlton game that we had to go on a run and that’s three in a row now, so hopefully we carry it on and push further away from the teams that are chasing us.”

McFadden believes the St Andrews ‘old heads’ have helped the team adapt.

He said: “We’ve got good experience with Premiership players and a few players that have played before in the Championship as well, so we know what it’s all about.

“We’ve got strong characters and we need it for the games ahead. We’re not scared to have a go at each other and we have to be man enough to take it on the chin.

“You’re not having a go at people to get them down you’re having a go at them to make them better. We don’t have a shouting match every game but, if something needs to be said, then there will be somebody that will say it.”

“Obviously the manager is a strong character as well and he’s the one that really gets us fired up. He’s the one that’s got the last word.”