McLeish hopes to have final word as Brum criticism mounts

ALEX McLEISH wants to put all off-field issues to one side for at least 24 hours as Birmingham try to reach their first major Wembley final for 55 years.

McLeish has been frustrated by his inability to bring in a new striker during the transfer window, with attempts to sign Robbie Keane and Kenny Miller ending in failure.

Then Birmingham’s acting chairman Peter Pannu questioned the success rate of some of McLeish’s signings during the Carson Yeung era ahead of Saturday’s 5-0 mauling by Manchester United.