Here’s another article by Dale.

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Three games they said we would lose, three games we have not only taken a point from but threatened enough to have pondered on what could have been. Chelsea and Manchester United were faced with one of our typically resilient displays and with the pace of Jerome and Benitez we may have nicked either game. The trip to Liverpool was no less frustrating as it was captivating. Jerome set the game alight with his screamer from 30 yards; Benitez got his long awaited first goal in a Blues shirt and then David Ngog went and dramatically performed a triple pike, double tuck inward twisting somersault over Lee Carsley to earn 6.5 points from the judges and a point for the home side. Upon reflection of our twelve game unbeaten run, Alex McLeish has assembled a squad that are not only capable of competing against the big 4 but seem to be disappointed with a point. Us! Blues!

Disappointed with a point against the two superpowers of Utd and Chelsea and a Liverpool side who give away next to nothing at Anfield! This is proof at how far we have come. In hindsight, McLeish’s job was dependant on promotion and effectively the finale away at Reading. But rewind to late September and after losing to Sunderland, Bolton and Burnley, Blues fans were geared up for the usual dogfight at the depths of the Premier League.

We then go to Arsenal and get what we all expected. A defeat. But what was to come none of us could have honestly anticipated. An unbeaten run that has lasted nearly three months and a team that has faced every challenge with grit, determination and spirit. At the helm is a man who once was questioned by home supporters (including myself) in the way of 4-5-1. A man who was 90 minutes from losing his job at the Majeski Stadium. Yet now, he seems to ooze with confidence, pride and knowledge, always looking in control of what questions the media prowlers throw at him. His honesty after games has also earned him plaudits, always admitting defeat and acknowledging when his team were below par.

McLeish has grown as a manger since joining Blues. He has disposed of the dead wood left for him by managers gone by and implemented a style, structure and spirit within his team. Prior to the Manchester United game, Sir Alex Ferguson commented on how well McLeish has done in his two years at Blues:

“’Alex McLeish has done a fantastic job. He only had a small amount of money to budget with when they came into the Premier League. ‘It tells you that Birmingham had to improve as a team from last season. They have done that remarkably well”

A sure-fire case of the master and pupil served up a highly contested 1-1 draw and prolonged Blues remarkable run to twelve games, beating a club record dating back to February 1908! This does not happen by luck. During the twelve games there have been times when Blues could and perhaps should have conceded but to go twelve games without losing is an achievement any club would be proud to pose. The new addition of Michel looks to be a long term coup with McLeish urging fans to give him time to adapt to the rough and tumble of the premier league.

I for one have no doubts that McLeish deserves to be acknowledged as a man who held it together when the pressure seemed unbearable and now has given Blues a platform, along with the new owners, to establish themselves as a premier league side and finally dispose the “Yo-yo club” label that so many branded in years gone by!

Dale Moon