Alex McLeish says Birmingham can inflict further suffering on Chelsea

Alex McLeish has challenged his Birmingham City players to do what is "achievable" in handing Chelsea a third troublesome domestic weekend in succession. The Premier League leaders will head to St Andrew's on Saturday having tasted defeat on back-to-back weekends, at Liverpool and against Sunderland. A narrow win over Fulham was sandwiched in between those losses. "I don't think we will pip Chelsea for the league but can we win a home game against Chelsea? That's achievable," McLeish, the Birmingham manager, said. "I'm not saying we will, I am saying we can and it is achievable. They have had two [defeats]. It is very rare to see the top teams losing three weekends in a row. But it is achievable and we can do it. As I re-emphasise, I'm not saying we will but we can do it and we have got to believe we can do it." McLeish promised his team, who sit in the relegation zone having drawn seven of their opening 13 matches, will adopt an aggressive approach. "I'm not going to shout from the rooftops and give Chelsea any motivation whatsoever," McLeish added. "I've just got to say to my players and our fans that we've got to ensure Chelsea are going back down south saying: 'What a game that was, what a game they gave us.' Whether that means we can win it or get something from it, whatever, we'll be going for it." Birmingham's manager shrugged off the injury troubles of Carlo Ancelotti, whose defence has been weakened by long-term problems for John Terry and Alex. "We already have a couple of players missing as well," said McLeish. "That can hurt us more than it can hurt Chelsea." McLeish also insisted this season's top flight is more competitive than he has known in the past, a view endorsed by Sir Alex Ferguson. "I spoke to Sir Alex the other day and he said it's a freakish league this season, a false league – those were the words he used," McLeish said. "You can see where he is coming from. I do think everybody has got better. I think the competition in the Premier League is stronger than ever. The teams in the lower half of the table are all capable. The results have shown that; West Brom going to Arsenal and winning, Blackpool getting some incredible results as well. That shows just how competitive it really is." The Birmingham manager would still be surprised, though, if a fresh name appeared in the top four at the end of the current campaign. "I think by the time the league pans out, that won't be the case," McLeish said. "I don't want to call it a false dawn but I think the stronger ones will come through. They have got the stamina, they have got the resources. But it is a great fight just now."