McLeish praises side after St Mary’s comeback

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish watched his makeshift side come back from a goal down to win the Carling Cup 2nd round tie against Southampton.

Adam Lallana fired Saints ahead shortly after the break and it looked like Blues may have suffered another defeat at the hands of Southampton, but two goals in three minutes from veterans Lee Bowyer and Lee Carsley ensured the Blues progressed.

‘It helps confidence and creates good habits, winning in the cup,’ said McLeish.

‘The performance I’m not entirely pleased with but I didn’t expect it to be smooth – we made a lot of changes and rotated the squad.

‘But we soldiered on. When we went behind I thought we were going out of the cup. But I felt we had goals in us.

‘If we’d gone two behind Southampton would have seen it through. But we got a lot stronger.

‘It was a classic Bowyer goal, and Carsley has played a captain’s role and got the winner.’