Trotters have last say but Brum on a high

DEFEAT on the final day of the season had no impact on the finishing position of Birmingham and their manager Alex Mcleish, as goals from Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic did nothing to deny his club their best league finish in 51 years.

City, against all the odds, have finished ninth for the first time since 1959 even if the manner of the loss at the Reebok Stadium underlined the weakness they possess in front of goal and the fact that McLeish knows that signing a forward presence – like Davies – is a priority this summer.

“We’re pinching ourselves at the finish,” said McLeish. “It’s pretty remarkable. To be one of the lowest spenders in the league, to come from the Championship and finish ninth is an amazing achievement.