Sunday, February 27 is a gigantic day for Birmingham City who haven’t clinched any major trophy since 1963. But Alex McLeish’s side affronts Arsenal in the Carling Cup final today with great belief.
The very last time Birmingham City made it this far in a major cup tournament was back in 2001 when they finished as runners-up behind Liverpool in a thrilling Carling Cup final. Darren Purse had forced the game to go into extra-time with a 90th minute equalizer of Robbie Fowler’s first-half goal for Liverpool. However, bad luck saw them lose 5-4 on penalties with Grainger and Andrew Johnson missing their spot-kicks.
This is the kind of unfortunate result which Alex McLeish’s men are looking to overturn at Wembley on Sunday. Ahead of the Arsenal vs Birmingham City Carling Cup final, the Blues’ manager reminded the public that Birmingham City will treat the match with much attention. Speaking to reporters, Alex McLeish revealed his daring desire to wound regular Champions League contenders Arsenal as he stated:
“We are not regarding it [Sunday’s Carling Cup final] as ‘just a big day out for Birmingham’. We don't see it like that.
“I cannot guarantee that we'll win it but I can guarantee that we believe we can, and we certainly can win it, and this will come down to the performances on the day.
“All I look for, and all I can ask of my players, is to give me individually first and foremost a really assured performance level.
“They can have a chance if they come together as a team and that happens if every individual gives his all.”
Now if the Blues’ trophy room is almost empty, Arsenal also have a problem of their own as they haven’t won silverware since winning the FA Cup back in 2005. Looking at Birmingham City’s feat in the final of the Carling Cup this season, Coach Alex McLeish concluded:
“For us to get to this final is a great achievement. We have certainly earned the right to be in the final. Now it's down to whether we can give a good performance.”
This is the kind of unfortunate result which Alex McLeish’s men are looking to overturn at Wembley on Sunday. Ahead of the Arsenal vs Birmingham City Carling Cup final, the Blues’ manager reminded the public that Birmingham City will treat the match with much attention. Speaking to reporters, Alex McLeish revealed his daring desire to wound regular Champions League contenders Arsenal as he stated:
“We are not regarding it [Sunday’s Carling Cup final] as ‘just a big day out for Birmingham’. We don't see it like that.
“I cannot guarantee that we'll win it but I can guarantee that we believe we can, and we certainly can win it, and this will come down to the performances on the day.
“All I look for, and all I can ask of my players, is to give me individually first and foremost a really assured performance level.
“They can have a chance if they come together as a team and that happens if every individual gives his all.”
Now if the Blues’ trophy room is almost empty, Arsenal also have a problem of their own as they haven’t won silverware since winning the FA Cup back in 2005. Looking at Birmingham City’s feat in the final of the Carling Cup this season, Coach Alex McLeish concluded:
“For us to get to this final is a great achievement. We have certainly earned the right to be in the final. Now it's down to whether we can give a good performance.”
