Brave defence impresses Eck.

Byline: Andy Walker 

ALEX McLeish has praised Blues' 'snarling' back four for continuing to put their bodies on the line.

Big Eck's watertight defence kept their fifth clean sheet of the season against Fulham on Saturday.

The quartet of Stephen Carr, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann and Liam Ridgewell withstood everything the Cottagers threw at them at St Andrew's, while a largely untested Joe Hart produced a fingertip save to deny Clint Dempsey.

And McLeish was quick to highlight his defence's contribution, in particular Dann and Johnson.

"I really admire the two boys for their tenacity and their bravery," said the Blues boss.

"They are throwing themselves in front of the ball, you don't see it a lot. You see a lot of players turning their backs on things.

''These two have definitely put themselves on the line, as has the whole team.

"It is a back four that has worked very hard recently. Joe Hart, again, I thought was terrific on Saturday.

''He had a great game against Liverpool and those five have been excellent and they keep their place, they've earned their right. It's up to others to get in if one of those players has a mishap.

"We've got a great character, a great spirited bunch of players in the dressing room.

''They want to win and they have a streak of belief in themselves and I can see it on the training ground.

''They are snarling, they don't like Roy Aitken's refereeing but big Roy is only softening them up for the real refereeing in the Premier League."

Meanwhile, McLeish admitted Saturday's match-winner Lee Bowyer has learnt to not let his passion get the better of him.

The midfielder was harshly booked for a foul against Fulham, although the 32-year-old is no longer prone to the odd lapse in discipline that overshadowed his early career.

McLeish explained: "I chatted with Lee and said, 'look you're a mature man, a grown man'.

''His wife was expecting twins and they're here now. He's got to count to ten, he used to have a short fuse, I think he's done well in terms of the red mist. I see him training some days and he kind of puts the brakes on.

"He's a passionate guy, he plays with passion, he plays with great commitment - the type of player I love."

MATCH ACTION: PAGES 28-29

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Battle: Scott Dann tangles with Bobby Zamora during the game against Fulham.