McLeish: “a total stalemate”.

Alex McLeish watched his Birmingham side draw 0-0 with Stoke City at St Andrews on Saturday and declared the game “a total stalemate”.

It wasn`t easy on the eye with both defences being on top, the best chance of the game came towards the end and a brilliant save by the Stoke keeper denied Blues three unlikely points.

‘I don’t think we are too disappointed,’ the Birmingham manager said.

‘We were troubled by their long balls before the break but in the second half we made some changes that took the game to Stoke, we took control in the midfield and might have won.

“We will need some inspiration in the last third to get the goals that will keep us in the Premier League. Today was total stalemate apart from one moment of brilliance.’