McLeish wants fans to stay calm

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has urged fans to be on their best behaviour in their local derby against Wolves on Sunday.

When Birmingham beat their bitter rivals in the Carling Cup earlier this month, their fans invaded the pitch and appeared to taunt the section of travelling supporters at the final whistle.

But McLeish hopes there will not a repeat of those scenes when the Blues face Wolves.

“The supporters are under pressure as are we to get results,” the manager said.

“We behave ourselves on the pitch. The fans have to do likewise.”

“We expect the fans to give the players everything and make it a trouble-free game.”

“I do not think the spotlight is on the fans because I think it was an isolated incident and not something we need to be concerned about. I have certainly not given it much after-thought.”

The Birmingham manager also thinks his opposite number, Mick McCarthy, could come under fire from his fans if his side suffer another defeat.

Wolves are second-bottom, level on points with rock-bottom West Ham.

McLeish said: “If we beat Wolves, the fans will no doubt be all over Mick McCarthy. But that is the nature of the beast in the Premier League.”

“I am vulnerable to that myself as I have been this season.”

“I am sure that if Sir Alex Ferguson loses a game at Old Trafford you will hear some boos and someone will want to have a go.”

“We know what kind of profession we are in. We know we have a kind of majestic streak in us even when we end up under the most enormous pressure.”

On-loan Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb is still out with a hamstring injury and striker James McFadden is sidelined with knee ligament damage.

But evergreen striker Kevin Phillips is available and will probably start among the substitutes.