Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has hailed George McCartney's long throw as a 'huge weapon' in West Ham United's armoury.
McCartney's hurl into the box set up United's goal in yesterday's 1-1 draw - although the Birmingham boss was disappointed with the defending which allowed Freddie Ljungberg to finish off the move at the far post.It's a huge weapon that West Ham have," he told the BBC's Match of the Day. "Cole's such a big presence in the box but he wins it far too easily and Ljungberg's on the end of it but he runs off somebody. Players are looking around for somebody to do it for them but they've got to take responsibility in there."
Unlike his counterpart Alan Curbishley, McLeish - unsurprisingly perhaps - felt that the penalty decision which cost West Ham United all three points was a correct one.
"McFadden dummied the full back, got in behind and looks as if he's going to pull the trigger and his jersey's been pulled," he said. "So it's a clear penalty, no doubt about it - especially with the new rules on jersey pulling."
Birmingham have now come away from The Boleyn Ground, White Hart Lane and The Emirates undefeated this season - yet McLeish, who saw his team climb out of the bottom three as a result of the draw still felt that his team could have snatched a win.
"Alan's amassed a great squad here," he added. West Ham have invested heavily in a few quality players and that's why they are where they are at the moment. They're trying to push for a European place which is a measure of the investment that they've made.
"I'm pleased to get the point - but on another day we could have got more with a bit of luck."
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