Pep Clotet wants Birmingham City to follow Leeds United's example

The Birmingham City boss welcomes his former employers to St Andrew's this afternoon hoping to snap a four-game winless streak.

Defeats to QPR, West Brom and Hull were followed by a Boxing Day draw with Blackburn away from home.

The Blues have won just once in their last 10 outings, a record that would begin to put pressure on almost any manager or head coach.

But Clotet points to the time taken to turn other clubs around, clubs who are now reaping the rewards at the top end of the table, including promotion favourites Leeds.

“I remember teams that changed their style in this league and turned themselves into strong, winning teams,” he said.

“It took Fulham two seasons to develop and become what they became. It took Leeds two seasons to become the team they are now.

“And this is the season Leeds are making a big difference to change the style and the ability to win consistently thanks to that change in style.

“We have just started this journey and sometimes we need to keep that in the back of our minds. Otherwise, we are only going to destroy all the work that we’ve been doing, especially because we have so much positivity in the club.

“All those young players that will give a brighter future to the club and football that our fans are very proud of, and that’s credit for the players for being brave enough to put it on the pitch. Sometimes I want to stress that importance because I don’t want to destroy all that good work.”

When the two sides met earlier in the season Leeds were 1-0 winners thanks to Kalvin Phillips' strike.