Lee Bowyer compares Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish to the late Sir Bobby Robson

May 17 2010 by Andy Walker, Sunday Mercury

LEE Bowyer has praised Alex McLeish for his handling of Blues’ old heads and compared him to the late, great Sir Bobby Robson.

Big Eck’s thirty-somethings can now enjoy a well-earned break having played their part in an enjoyable yet exhausting Premier League campaign.

While young guns such as Joe Hart, Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome deserved praise, the club’s experienced pros were also a key component of McLeish’s top ten gatecrashers.

The contribution from the likes of Bowyer, Barry Ferguson, Stephen Carr and Kevin Phillips, who has been offered a fresh deal, can’t be ignored as Blues finished the season in ninth

And Bowyer insists that McLeish deserves a pat on the back for the way he managed his older players last season.

Whether that be recovery, encouragement or just mutual respect, Bowyer insists that McLeish got it spot on and compares his methods to the legendary figure he worked under at Newcastle.

“I think the manager has been outstanding, especially now you’ve got me, Fergie, Stephen Carr and Kevin Phillips getting older,” said the ex-England international. “I think the way he man-managed us has been really good.

“When I was at Newcastle, Sir Bobby Robson did the same with Gary Speed and Alan Shearer.

“You’d think ‘why can’t they play and train all the time?’Now I know!

“The way he has kept everybody happy and ticking over, I think he has done an exceptional job this season. He understands that we know the game, we’ve played the game so if you make a mistake, he’s not going to hammer you.

“He would just say, ‘Look, maybe you could have done that’ even though you are probably aware yourself.

“He is still the manager and he has got to make his points come across, not just for us older ones, but the youngsters as well.