All pressure on Blades warns McLeish
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish believes the pressure is back on Sheffield United after his side ground out a 1-0 win at Watford.
Cameron Jerome's late deflected strike put the Blues in pole position to join neighbours Wolves in winning promotion from the Championship, after they opened up a four-point gap over Kevin Blackwell's Blades.
United travel to face Burnley and will realistically need a win to keep their hopes alive.
McLeish said: "It gives us a platform and keeps us in the driving seat. It puts the pressure on teams below us to get a result.
"I know how Sheffield United will be feeling. It is tough to respond to pressure and the more you handle the mental side of the game the better you will perform.
"But we have a tough task. We have to play Preston who had an amazing result by beating Cardiff 6-0 and they will visit us full of confidence.
"We are carrying a few knocks and one or two may be struggling, but there are two games left and players can find fitness when they need to."
Jerome came off the bench to fire in the winner in the 73rd-minute and McLeish admitted it was a tough decision to leave the former Cardiff striker out of his starting XI.
Blues dominated the first half, but were unable to beat Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach until Jerome lashed in a shot which looped in off the heel of Ross Jenkins.
McLeish said: "The goal was a very welcome sight indeed and we waited a long time for it. Jerome is an explosive player and he can't play every game, as he loses his edge.
"We try to preserve that so that's why he didn't start but I told him there was every chance he will come on.
"He was fine about it. Every player is disappointed when they are left out but he took it in the right spirit.
"It's all about the bigger picture and we are all in this together."
