Birmingham boss McLeish took German lessons into Blackpool win

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish credits their win over Blackpool to him being a fan of the Bundesliga.

McLeish played Alex Hleb in a new role against the Seasiders and was rewarded with the three points.

"We knew they played with two in front of the back four, and if Hleb played behind our front two, one of the two Blackpool players would have to go with him," said the Birmingham manager said, who drew his inspiration from the Bundesliga.

"That would give us an extra man in midfield. Werder Bremen played that formation successfully with Diego in that position. Now Steve McClaren is trying it at Wolfsburg because Diego is there."

 
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