Gold gives McLeish backing

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Gold has been delighted with the contribution made by the former Scotland boss even though Blues are only a point above the relegation zone with seven matches to play.

Gold said: "It is very difficult for Alex to walk in and take over a squad mid-stream but I'm absolutely thrilled with him."

He added: "How do you judge a manager? You judge a manager by 'is he doing the things which in general we all feel he should be doing?' and the answer is 'yes'.

"When he brings on a substitute is it what the majority of us believe in? Is he saying the right things to the media? Is he saying the right things that bond everyone together? The answer is yes.

"If he achieves that and brings everyone together, then you can't ask for more."

Gold accepts survival in the Premier League is paramount for Blues but recognises how difficult it is to achieve that after being promoted from the Coca-Cola Championship.

He said: "When you came up from the Championship, you have got a Championship side. It's a good side because it got you promoted.

"But you've got wholesale changes to make, and that costs huge amounts of money, and the wholesale changes aren't enough.

"People say the second season is the toughest. I don't believe that. I believe for every year you are in the Premier League, you grow stronger, your infrastructure improves, your players improve and you become a better organisation."