McLEISH RUES DROPPED POINTS

McLeish - rues dropped points.

Alex McLeish has admitted Birmingham's failure to turn positive performances in to points at St Andrews could cost them their Premier League status.

But he insisted the players should not be lacking in belief in Sunday's home clash with Blackburn after the way they have acquitted themselves in front of their own fans.

Birmingham needs to overcome Mark Hughes' side and hope that Fulham and Reading fail to win at Portsmouth and Derby respectively if they are to survive.

City lost only one home game under McLeish courtesy of Joe Cole's goal for Chelsea in January.

But eight of the other 11 home games have ended in draws and points have been dropped against the likes of Reading, Fulham, Derby and Newcastle.

Birmingham's last home game summed up their season when they were totally in control against Liverpool but contrived to throw away a two-goal advantage.

McLeish said: "I think the bottom line is if we had won more home games, we would be safe. That's how you stay in the Premier League. If you win your away games, you climb the league.

"We haven't won nearly enough home matches. We certainly had the opportunities and we've certainly had the performances that mean we should have won more than we have done.

"But eight draws out of 12, three wins and one defeat is something that sees us fighting where we are rather than being out of sight of the bottom three."

McLeish knows that his players must approach Sunday's game brimming with confidence rather than being scared if they are to do themselves justice.

He said: "I think it is all about confidence. I don't think you could ever accuse any of the players of not fighting or trying.

"That is the key. If I had a jar full of confidence and could open it, give some to the players then I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you with us in our current position.

"They've got to have the belief and the evidence is there for them to look at from the games we have played at home. That should give them the belief."

McLeish admitted he had a quiet word earlier in the week at a media function with Derby boss Paul Jewell whose side could save Birmingham by overcoming the Royals.

He said: "I said to Paul 'You've got to win one, come on, you have to via the law of averages!' Paul Jewell is a proud guy and Derby are a handful on their own pitch.

"I would imagine any team Paul Jewell is in charge of will show plenty of fight and that will be the case on Sunday against Reading.

"Our challenge is to win our game and that is not going to be easy against a very slick Blackburn side. Mark Hughes has done a great job there.

"We've got to beat Blackburn and then at the end of the game we will be facing the fine line of euphoria or being very down depending on what happens elsewhere.

"It is not all over. That was the message I gave to the players after the Fulham match. That was the pick-me-up for everyone after what was not a very good performance on the day."

McLeish admits it will be impossible to avoid what is happening at Fratton Park and Pride Park during Sunday's game.

He said: "You just won't be able to avoid what is going on. People have their radios on and we will be getting messages.

"I've been through a similar situation before at the other end of the table. We (Rangers) were going head-to-head with Celtic and I hope it is as positive and exciting on the last day for us as well."

McLeish is hoping striker James McFadden and defender Liam Ridgewell will both be fit to face Rovers.

McFadden has suffered a reaction to the knee problem which required keyhole surgery five weeks ago while Ridgewell picked up an ankle knock against Fulham which led to him being substituted at half-time.