ALEXANDER HLEB CLAIMS BIRMINGHAM MOVE WAS STEP BACKWARDS

Posted Friday, October 08, 2010 by Dailystar.co.uk

ALEXANDER HLEB CLAIMS BIRMINGHAM MOVE WAS STEP BACKWARDS ALEXANDER Hleb is on a collision course with Birmingham boss Alex McLeish after claiming his move to the Midlands was a step backwards.

And the Belarus international risked angering his new manager even further by attacking his long-ball approach.

Hleb completed a shock loan move to St Andrew’s from Barcelona just before the summer transfer window slammed shut.

His capture was heralded as a major coup by McLeish, given the midfielder’s proven European pedigree.

But the former Arsenal star could have some explaining to do when he returns from international duty after admitting life in Birmingham has come as a massive culture shock.

Hleb, who is preparing for Euro 2012 qualifiers against Luxembourg and Albania, said: “I’m not quite happy with the level of the team, but such things do happen. It’s just life.

“I did tell the papers that Birmingham is not exactly Barcelona or Arsenal.

“In the recent Birmingham games there was a lot of struggle – they were constantly hoofing the long ball forward.” The 29-year-old excelled under Arsene Wenger’s attractive style, with his displays enhancing his reputation as one of the continent’s most potent attacking midfielders, bagging him a dream move to the Nou Camp.

But despite the Catalans’ offensive approach, Hleb flopped in Spain and boss Pep Guardiola sent him out on loan to Stuttgart – the club where he first made his name – at the back end of last season.

But Hleb admits he longs to play sexy football again, saying: “Naturally I miss the combinational and creative football by Arsenal and Barca, but that was my own choice.

“The Birmingham style is not the kind of game I dreamed about.

“It is good that now I have a lot of time on the pitch, but I want to play football of a different kind.”

However, Hleb insists he is 100 per cent committed to the St Andrew’s cause and insists he is willing to drop his footballing principles to make a go of it.

He said: “Birmingham is more a team of fighters, but now I need to get used to their manner of playing.

“But as a whole everything suits me now – a good manager and fine relations with my team-mates.”