Alex McLeish believes Birmingham "have proved a lot of people wrong" after a club record fifth successive Premier League win moved them into the top six.

Cameron Jerome scored both goals in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Blackburn and the Blues have now collected 20 points in an eight-game unbeaten run.

"I am proud of the players and the fans should be too," said the Blues manager.

"They have shown a fantastic appetite and from where we started this season, we have proved a lot of people wrong."

Birmingham had been tipped for an immediate return to the Championship and were hovering above the relegation zone with seven points from nine games after their last defeat, 3-1 at Arsenal on 17 October.

But a 2-1 home win over Sunderland on 24 October and draws against Manchester City and Liverpool kick-started their season and started their climb up the table.

Successive victories over Fulham, Wolves, Wigan, West Ham and Blackburn have followed to propel Birmingham up to sixth, level on 27 points with Tottenham.

However, McLeish is refusing to get carried away with their recent form.

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"When you see the league table, it is a great sight but I've been there before with some of the clubs I've managed, Motherwell and Hibs and even higher," he added.

"There is a lot of good stuff about the team in the media and the players should embrace that and not be intimidated by that and make sure they keep challenging themselves to not to be in a comfort zone.

"With each game that they have won, people are asking for more, and asking for other things like (qualification for) Europe.

"We are keeping our feet on the ground and making sure we are in the Premier League - that is our main aim.

"We have given ourselves a very good chance to be part of this strongest league in the world."

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