Alex McLeish has conceded he is aggrieved at losing Birmingham City’s 12-month unbeaten home record following their defeat at the hands of Everton.
Prior to Saturday’s game, City last lost at St Andrews at the end of September 2009 after being beaten 2-1 by Bolton Wanderers, and their excellent home form following that setback played a substantial part in their ninth-placed finish last term.
But Everton, who had failed to register a win this season before Saturday’s match, enjoyed comfortable spells of possession over the hosts and David Moyes’s side created the clearer chances.
After a first half in which Everton dominated the majority of proceedings, a Roger Johnson own goal allowed the visitors to gain the advantage before a late Tim Cahill header wrapped up the points for Moyes’s men.
"I’m disappointed we lost today but our home record was an achievement for everyone at the club but now we will have to start again,” said McLeish.
“The first goal came against the run of play and at a disastrous time for us. Roger [Johnson] knows he could have been in a better position and he is disappointed as we did defend well.”
City were booed off after the full-time whistle and McLeish has admitted he was not expecting that reaction from the St Andrews faithful.
“I’m surprised the fans got on our backs today as I’ve said in the past how much I love their support," he added.
“But we did have six injuries today and we are trying to create a partnership up front. The strikers know what I want to see from them and that the positions are up for grabs.”
McLeish also defended the form of two of his summer acquistions, Aliaksandr Hleb and Nikola Zigic. The Scot insists there is still time to improve, especially for the Serbian striker, who is new to the Premier League.
“[Aliaksandr] Hleb looked better today despite his fitness and was brighter in the second half,” said McLeish.
“We have worked with [Nikola] Zigic in training but he hasn’t adjusted to the English game yet and there is a lot of work to do.”
Prior to Saturday’s game, City last lost at St Andrews at the end of September 2009 after being beaten 2-1 by Bolton Wanderers, and their excellent home form following that setback played a substantial part in their ninth-placed finish last term.
But Everton, who had failed to register a win this season before Saturday’s match, enjoyed comfortable spells of possession over the hosts and David Moyes’s side created the clearer chances.
After a first half in which Everton dominated the majority of proceedings, a Roger Johnson own goal allowed the visitors to gain the advantage before a late Tim Cahill header wrapped up the points for Moyes’s men.
"I’m disappointed we lost today but our home record was an achievement for everyone at the club but now we will have to start again,” said McLeish.
“The first goal came against the run of play and at a disastrous time for us. Roger [Johnson] knows he could have been in a better position and he is disappointed as we did defend well.”
City were booed off after the full-time whistle and McLeish has admitted he was not expecting that reaction from the St Andrews faithful.
“I’m surprised the fans got on our backs today as I’ve said in the past how much I love their support," he added.
“But we did have six injuries today and we are trying to create a partnership up front. The strikers know what I want to see from them and that the positions are up for grabs.”
McLeish also defended the form of two of his summer acquistions, Aliaksandr Hleb and Nikola Zigic. The Scot insists there is still time to improve, especially for the Serbian striker, who is new to the Premier League.
“[Aliaksandr] Hleb looked better today despite his fitness and was brighter in the second half,” said McLeish.
“We have worked with [Nikola] Zigic in training but he hasn’t adjusted to the English game yet and there is a lot of work to do.”
Birmingham City Manager Alex McLeish Upset At Losing Year-Long Home Record Against Everton
![Birmingham City Manager Alex McLeish Upset At Losing Year-Long Home Record Against Everton]()
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