Birmingham’s Seb Larsson believes playing in a more central role will help him reproduce the sort of strike he dispatched Spurs with recently.
The 22-year-old, who joined from Arsenal on a permanent basis in January after moving to St Andrews on loan in the summer of 2006, was recalled to the starting XI by Alex McLeish and made the headlines with his last minute winner at White Hart Lane on December 2.
Larsson is confident the freedom playing in the middle of the park gives him will help him create chances for either himself or the players around him – and hopes he will be able to play in the same role for the foreseeable future.
Larsson told the club’s official site: “I’ve really enjoyed playing in the centre for these two games, especially playing the more offensive one of the three. It gives you that freedom to push on and try and create something which is nice.
“When you are in those positions you are in areas where you can hurt the opposition a bit more. Hopefully if we’re going to continue playing in that way I can stay in that position.
“The new manager is trying to get us to believe in our ability and get the ball down and pass it. I like to have the ball at my feet and try to play football, so if that’s what the manager wants us to do I’m more than happy with that.”
The midfielder will also be hoping to catch the eye of his national coach – as despite winning 12 caps for Sweden’s under-21 side, he has yet to get any time on the pitch for the senior side, despite making the bench for the recent Euro 2008 qualifier against Liechtenstein.
Birmingham face a tough match against Reading on Saturday, and Larsson may have a key role to play. It will be Alex McLeish’s first game in charge at St Andrews following the win at Spurs and the loss away to Newcastle – and Reading will be on a high following their 3-1 win against Liverpool.
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