Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish sought to add quality to his squad during the transfer window in the summer. He feels that the competition for places that has come as a natural result can only benefit the club with everyone now fighting for a place in the starting line-up.  “We now have great competition for places” said the Scot, “They know they have to keep their performance levels high as there are others who are itching to be involved.”

 

One player very much on McLeish’s side is Scottish international James McFadden who has been on the receiving end of criticism from certain quarters following his recent performances for his country. The 27-year old former Everton star suffered the ignominy of being substituted against Liechtenstein but McLeish has backed the player. McFadden himself said “I came back and the gaffer was very nice and supportive of me and to me. He showed faith in me and I thank him.”

One player who didn’t arrive at St Andrews during the summer was Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia. Although the proposed move reportedly broke down over the players wage demands, the player insisted that while he did seek a move away from the DW Stadium, he is now happy to have stayed. “I just wasn’t interested enough” he said of a move to Birmingham, “It just wasn’t the right club for me and I wanted to stay with Wigan.”