Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish admits he can't afford to play favourites with his squad.

McLeish said he made decisions for the good of the club - to try to get results.

"There are loads of different facets to managing a football team and, listen, they are not all going to love me, the players,'' he told the Birmingham Mail.

"I'm not here to be Mr Popular but we've got a good ambience at the club, a good respect for each other.

''The bottom line is I have got to get results and I cannot compromise myself."