Birmingham manager Alex McLeish believes a win at Swansea is a must if they want Premier League football

The Birmingham City manager brings his team to the Liberty this evening for a league clash that could see them close the gap on leaders Wolves.

He will however be mindful that those league leaders have already been beaten at the Liberty this season and he will be keen to ensure his side do not suffer the same fate.

Maybe it is also testament to how we are shaping up in the Championship that McLeish views it as a great place to sneak a win if they have Premier League ambitions - taking points off your promotion rivals is always a way to slow them down? 

“We have to be mindful that going to places like Swansea, in terms of our aspirations for the Premier League, we’ve got to be looking to win,” he told the Western Mail.

“We’ve disappointed recently on our travels. But we’ve got to be looking to win this game.”

As for what he thinks of the Swans, McLeish continued: “They have not let themselves down at all coming into this division. Instead of just consolidating they are trying to shoot for the moon and get themselves into a position for the play-off places.

“They certainly haven’t looked fazed by the opposition. The players are a credit to their manager.”

Photo: Action Images

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