The arrival of Alex McLeish as manager has given the Birmingham City strikers a freedom they did not enjoy under his predecessor Steve Bruce, Mikael Forssell has revealed.

The 26-year-old Finnish striker said the main difference between the two managers was that McLeish has encouraged his forwards to be creative without the risk of recrimination if what they have tried does not succeed.

McLeish has repeatedly referred to dispelling the 'fear factor' among his players and

Forssell, who looked impressive partnering James McFadden in the Blues attack at West Ham United last Saturday, said the strikers were actively encouraged to be brave in the final third of the field.

"Alex has made a difference," he said. "He tells the forwards to express themselves and gives them the freedom in the final third of the pitch. I like that a lot.

"He encourages us to try things and if we lose the ball he doesn't criticise us for trying stuff. You need that as a striker.

"Now, when we get a bad result, we don't mope about for days afterwards. We react straightaway and the coach trips home always have a positive atmosphere. We try to get over it and work hard on Mondays to get things right.

"Birmingham has always had that work value but Alex has got us organised and is working on cutting out the defensive mistakes."

Forssell said he enjoyed his new partnership with Scotland international McFadden and was relishing a prolonged run in the team alongside the new £5 million signing, who scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.

"It was a tough battle at West Ham but I thought myself and James McFadden did well," he said. "He is a good player with excellent qualities and he is good on the ball. I like the ball into my feet and he plays one-twos around the box.

"Both of us are very attacking-minded, which helps.

"I let him take the penalty because he earned it but if I win a penalty I will certainly make sure I take it. I think I should have scored at least one goal at West Ham but I haven't played that much and I just need a few games."

At the other end of the field, defender Stuart Parnaby said the squad was working hard to cut out the errors that have been costing Birmingham sloppy goals in recent games.

Blues have conceded from set pieces and hopeful balls into the penalty area in recent weeks and fell behind to a flick-on from a long throw against West Ham. However, the former Middlesbrough defender said there were signs

at West Ham that Blues were rediscovering their notorious defensive mean streak.

He said: "The lads had to dig in and work hard at West Ham after they got the early goal - and it was another soft one. We seem to be conceding stupid goals from set plays but we are working on them in training. After that, the back four were brilliant and looked more in control than in previous games."

* The Football Association have quashed the red card issued to Lee Bowyer during Saturday's match with Birmingham. The midfielder was dismissed by referee Mark Clattenburg for an alleged two-footed tackle on Blues captain Damien Johnson two minutes from the end of the game.