Tight defence key to Reebok success (From The Bolton News)

Tight defence key to Reebok success

STEVE Bruce's Birmingham have the potential to make life decidedly awkward for Wanderers as they attempt to recover from the devastation of their derby drubbing.

By the same token the Blues' appearance at the Reebok on Saturday serves to remind Sam Allardyce's chastened players of the importance of hard work, good organisation and disciplined defending.

Wanderers have scored as many goals and, according to statistics, created considerably more scoring chances but the "secret" of Bruce's success lies in the goals against column.

While Wanderers have conceded 18 - two a game - Birmingham have let in just five and along with Southampton boast the best defensive record in the Premiership.

"There couldn't be a more difficult game for us," Allardyce admitted as he cast an envious eye towards the Midlands. "Full marks to them. It just shows what clean sheets do for you.

"Seven out of nine and sitting fourth from the top of the Premiership ... that's what good, solid defensive organisation brings and we've lost that in periods of games when, instead of keeping it tight, we've ended up losing goals.

"That's something we have to put right first tomorrow then try and win the game without opening ourselves up too much, because we've shown when we get exposed that we can't cope."

Deeply concerned that, having read the riot act after the 4-0 defeat at Portsmouth in August, he saw an even more horrific second half collapse at Manchester City, Allardyce is encouraged to some degree by the knowledge that Wanderers responded with a six-match unbeaten run and has reminded his players they have shown in the past they can rescue results from almost hopeless positions.

"Only defensive solidarity brings you back into a game," he explained. "We're not as good or as clever enough as Manchester United or Arsenal who can go 2-1 down and go all out attack to get back into a game.

"We just leave ourselves exposed. But I've reminded the players how we got back from being 2-0 down at home to Arsenal last season to draw 2-2 and how, way back as far as Leicester (December 2001) we got back from being 2-0 down with nine men.

"That wasn't about nine men dashing forward it was about nine men defending and working off set-pieces, corners and free kicks. A corner got us back into the game against Arsenal.

"You never get anything out of chasing a game. You just end up not looking like a team at all. It ends up looking like the team is not trying or giving up but really it's just lost its way."

With so much quality - Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha and Ivan Campo have all raised the standard - Wanderers were not expected to struggle this season. But it was Okocha and Campo (Djorkaeff was missing and is again doubtful for tomorrow) to whom Allardyce referred when he admitted: "It was amazing to see those particular players play that way.

"It's unusual but it's happened, it's done and it's gone. We need the right response. It will be edgy and a little bit nervous but we've got to turn the corner and get ourselves a win. If we draw it will be a reasonable result after a 6-2 drubbing but playing at home is about a victory."

"As if there isn't enough pressure in the Premiership, we've gone and heaped even more pressure on ourselves but we've got to deal with that and respond in a positive way."