The bright side of life
Alex McLeish is not a man for hyperbole or grand statements
So when he says the 'must win scenario is starting to kind of loom on the horizon', you know it's serious.
That's just what tomorrow's game against Manchester City is. Three points, no ifs, no buts.
But McLeish isn't piling even more pressure on his players. Far from it. He believes they can handle the situation they are in, and have shown no sign of nerves.
But now is the time for action.
At his regular media briefings pre-match, he is an impressive customer.
When he said those words above in front of the assembled press at Wast Hills, it didn't come across as the desperate ramblings of a man fearing the worst, or not in control.
McLeish is every bit the opposite and his calm assurance when discussing Blues precarious position in the Premier League table sends out the right message.
He is as measured and focused in the dressing room and on the training field, which is why it's not panic stations down at Blues.
Earlier in the week, we spoke at length about his long-term plans for the team, and his hope that the mindset surrounding the club in general begins to shift from pessimistic, doom and gloom to a more up-beat and positive outlook.
He spearheaded something similar when Scotland manager, banging the drum during a persuasive campaign to make Scots feel good about themselves, their team, and look on the bright side.
Of course, results are everything in the final analysis.
Yet McLeish refuses to underestimate the power of positivity and togetherness; just look at how Scotland fared for a start.
It's something he has preached since being appointed Blues manager in November and the players have responded.
One told me a couple of weeks ago: "What I like is that if we are on the bus after a long journey and we've lost, by the time we get back the mood is not one of disappointment or feeling sorry for ourselves, but kind of 'right, see you Monday, we will put that right - let's go'."
There are no guarantees that Blues will survive this season.
But they are being steered the right way and in the right manner.
And after the way Blues lost to Reading, the overriding feeling among the players was not dread or worry, but of anger, and a fierce desire to take that into the Manchester City game tomorrow.
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Colin Tattum
Mail man Colin Tattum’s view of what’s going on at Birmingham City FC.
yes i agree,i think he is the man to start the st andrews fire.
keeep right oon
Hello boyo, I hear there may be a rugby match going on at wigan next week. can you confirm?
But tell me...did he say anything interesting about Rangers? Or Fergie? or even Beckham
I mean, who wants to read about small clubs all the time
I can answer your Question Mother Hen....
He never mentioned QPR or the Duchess of York - Errrm? Why should he?
And as far as players at the end of their career are concerned he shows them the respect they desrve and looks to the future....
All successful Clubs were small at one time and even BCFC who were one of the first to be invited to play in European Competition and regularly filled St Andrews with 52,000 plus supporters humbly recognise their origins....
But the original "Blues" and Big Mac do not dwell on their past, they continue to look to the future with their own Chosen One who is destined to take them to the Promised Land....
Oh and Wigan? Rugby match next week? What else do you expect on a pitch like that where hoof ball is the only accepted approach?
Why is it that Scottish managers always seem more intelligent and articulate than English ones?
You can't imagine Strachan, Ferguson, Dalgleish and McLeish rambling on about having a "right good go" or "squeaky bum time".
Are you sure? Have you heard Mr Charisma Dalglish mumble? At least English managers don't chew gum and gob everywhere as well.
Good blog above. Captured the mood which was clear on Saturday.
yes you are right but totaly wrong,they cant say those things because of thier accents,they can only say words that they know,like,ouch,come on have a go if you think you are hard enough, wee jimmy johnston,and jimmy greaves is a puff.
so you see its not their fault its yours for hearing it wrong.