Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish admits the club was not ready for some of their summer signings.
McLeish accepts they've struggled to settle this season.
He told bcfc.com: "This season has been a little bit of challenge because we took some players in maybe that we possibly wouldn't have done as early as this, had we still been building up as a small club.
"Alexander Hleb was a massive signing for us and Zigic was a massive signing for us.
"Perhaps we would have done things a little bit differently, but you've got to say thanks to the board for providing the money for that.
"Sometimes you take the giant leap too soon and it can destabilise you, but I think we're on the right lines.
"But you're still never satisfied and I don't think that's a bad thing.
"I think it's good when you keep testing yourself, keep pushing yourself, pushing the players and 'saying 'can we do better?' because you don't want to stand still."
