McLeish demands better team ethic

Alex McLeish refuses to blame injuries for Blues' recent slip-ups

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish says his players need to function more as a team if they are to end a barren spell.

Blues' run of one point from their last three games has dropped them six points behind Championship leaders Wolves.

"We can't afford to play as individuals and I think at times players may be trying too hard to impress," McLeish told BBC WM.

"It's my job to get the best out of them. We've got to get back to being a team that sticks together."

Defeats against Queens Park Rangers and Coventry City followed by last Saturday's draw at Nottingham Forest have put Blues under pressure from the likes of Reading and Sheffield United for the automatic promotion positions.

But McLeish is challenging his players to rediscover their form at home to Charlton on Saturday, adding: "It's time they thought about the rewards for them here and how much we really want this."