Wolverhampton-Birmingham City Preview

Posted Saturday, February 06, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (SE) - Wolverhampton boss Mick McCarthy has hailed Birmingham counterpart Alex McLeish as a contender for manager of the season ahead of Sunday’s Midlands derby at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham have virtually guaranteed survival after a remarkable 15-match unbeaten run, which was only ended by defeat at Chelsea.

McLeish’s men, promoted with Wolves last season, are flying high in eighth place, 13 points above the relegation zone.

McCarthy said: “The only bloke who must be pressure-free and that’s Alex McLeish \2013 he’s done an absolute fabulous job to get them to 34 points already.

“They’re one team that doesn’t have to worry.

“The manager of the year usually goes to whoever wins the league but what Alex has achieved is amazing.”

Bottom club Portsmouth look certainties to go down after losing 16 of their opening 23 games.

But McCarthy says nobody in the bottom half of the table is safe from the drop.

“I’m looking at the teams above us and I saw Sunderland and Stoke playing each other on Monday night and they’re all still in the mix \2013 there aren’t any of them thinking they’re safe.

“Stoke have got two more points than Sunderland with 26 but they won’t be resting on their laurels.

“I think there are 17 of us wanting three clubs to go into administration so they lose 10 points! Portsmouth are certainly in trouble, but they’ve very good players, as they proved here, but if it helps us, then brilliant.

“If they stay where they are, then we still have to finish above two other teams.”

McLeish resisted the temptation to spend big during the transfer window despite being backed by Carson Yeung’s millions.

Sporting Gijon winger Michel and Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardener were the only additions but McLeish is confident his squad is strong enough to maintain their impressive form.

The Scot said: “I didn’t want to add players just for the sake of it. I have got a good dressing room. I am not saying everybody loves me in there, but everybody is behind each other.

“They are a strong group and it’s important it stays like that and nothing distracts them. Players all naturally want to play but I can’t accommodate them all.

“Touch wood, we have players fit enough to be available for the rest of the season and it’s right that we trust these guys who have performed so well for us up to now.”

McLeish has also revealed Yeung’s arrival has made his players household names in the Far East.

“I think these guys here now are recognised in China,” said McLeish. “As I understand, there are now millions in China who follow Birmingham because of our results, because of our performances.

“They’ve been able to see first hand what these guys can do.

“The Birmingham fans in China now recognise these guys as household names, which is a great credit to them.”

Birmingham are set to field an unchanged side for the 12th successive Premier League game.

Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann returns after being rested for their 3-1 FA Cup fourth round defeat at Crystal Palace.