Gary McSheffrey had become concerned that his own standards have slipped in recent weeks even though his goal against Stoke yesterday gave Blues their first league victory since December 26.
The 1-0 victory was enough to see Birmingham rise to second position in the Coca-Cola Championship but McSheffrey wants an improvement from himself and the team as they enter the final three months of the season.
Steve Bruce, the Birmingham manager, said that McSheffrey could be the answer to England's problems on the left-side of midfield. McSheffrey appreciated the compliment but is not sure, on current form, how appropriate it is.
"It was a real nice thing that the manager said about me but the way I played [against Stoke], I don't think I could get into the England ladies team," McSheffrey said. "I have got to try to find my game again because, the past few weeks, it is gone off track a bit. But that comes with disappointing results, low confidence . . . but this win will give us all a boost, including myself.
"The injury is just one of those things. I don't think any player will say he goes into a match 100 per cent. There are always little niggles but I think that if you keep working, you get your reward in the end..
"It was my first headed goal of the season and a nice feeling. With a cross like that, half of the job was done for me. It was a great cross. I was expecting [Stoke defender Carl] Hoefkens to head it but, at the last minute, I realised I was going to get there. I just needed to get my head on it and, luckily, the ball went in.
"I got a good jump. I can head the ball but I don't always get the opportunity. It was an absolute grind. Stoke set out their stall. They are a physical team. They stopped us from playing and we were not at the races.
"It was one of those games where we needed three points, no matter what happened. This was like the Derby match in October [when Birmingham won 1-0 to end a bad run of form]. It was a grind but we had to see it through, which is what it is all about. We took the three points.
"Expectations are high but there was a nervousness about the lads, partly because results have not been going for us of late but hopefully the weight is off our shoulders. Hopefully, we can start putting performances together as well as some wins.
"Second in the table, back in the automatic promotion placings, with still two matches in hand. We have a good goal difference, as well. We have some difficult games coming up, against Crystal Palace. I think we play everyone who is in the mix, which is an important time.
"I hadn't trained all week and it was touch and go the day before the match but really I just want to get on with it and do my best for the team. Thankfully, we got what mattered."
McSheffrey was reluctant to express concern at how few Birmingham supporters attended the match. Just 15,854 turned up, which made St Andrew's almost half-empty, but the player is sure that the crowds will return to the stadium again soon.
"When the fans come in and the ground is full, it is like having a 12th man," McSheffrey said. "Personally, I think I get ten per cent extra when there is the buzz of a full stadium.
"I can understand the fans not coming. The match was on the TV. Tickets were expensive. It is a disappointing turnout but hopefully the win will help. We have big home matches coming up, so hopefully they will back us."
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