History in the making for Blues
Friday 24th September 2010, 11:26AM BST.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has called on his players to make history – as they stand of the verge of equalling a 113-year club record.
If they avoid defeat at home to Wigan tomorrow, it will equal a record of 18 league games unbeaten at fortress St Andrew’s.
Blues last tasted defeat in a 2-1 loss to Bolton exactly a year ago and, including cup games, are unbeaten in 20 outings at home – a record McLeish wants to extend against the Latics.
He said: “We have got a great record – and we want to preserve it.
“The players have got to give me everything and do everything in their power to preserve it. We know some day we will lose at St Andrew’s, that’s a fact and it will happen.
“But even when it does, these players won’t go down without fighting.”
McLeish dismissed any fixation on achieving the record and, although proud of the run, is focused on continuing Blues’ fine start to the Premier League season.
He said: “It’s not something we’re thinking about. What matters is getting the result tomorrow and continuing to do what we do in front of our own supporters.
“St Andrew’s is a place where the opposition are apprehensive about going to and we have to make sure it stays that way, with the help of supporters who have given us superb backing.
“I’m aware of the headlines and I’m sure people looking on are reading papers and saying ‘ah, this will be the one where they finally lose it after talking about it so much.’
“I can’t avoid it and it is an achievement to go as long as we have done without losing at St Andrew’s.”
Blues went 17 games unbeaten at St Andrew’s at the end of the 1906-07 season and won the opening game of the next season before losing to Bury.
McLeish has also confirmed James McFadden’s operation on his damaged cruciate ligament has been a success.
He said: “It was a good operation. I don’t think we will be making any diagnosis about the length of time until Christmas, when he goes back to the specialist and gets a further update.”
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