Birmingham manager Alex McLeish insists his players must deal with fans’ expectations after the team were the object of derision from Blues’ following.

McLeish’s men are second in the Championship, four points behind leaders Wolves and one ahead of Reading in third,  ahead of the meeting with Crystal Palace.

But none of the three are convincing at the moment, with all failing to win at the weekend.

Both team and manager became the focus of supporters’ criticism at the Ricoh Arena during the 1-0 defeat at Coventry, but McLeish is adamant Blues have to live with the expectations.

He said: “I think the players have to expect that (supporters’ jeers), we all have to expect that.

“Our fans’ expectations are that we will come to Coventry and win handsomely. I know realistically that’s not going to happen, especially when they are on a pretty decent run at the moment.

“We certainly had the players to go and get the positive result but we just didn’t bring the level, too many players never played to their level.”