WATSON BACKS MACHEDA

Birmingham city assistant manager Steve Watson has come out in praise of Manchester United striker Federico Macheda, who has been playing for the club in the last few weeks after coming on a loan deal from Old Trafford.

The striker has been in fine form since coming to the blues and he continued his form with two more goals against Doncaster Rovers. The double either side of a goal from Novak helped Birmingham stage a comeback after going a goal down early in the first half. The win has eased in a relegation fears for the moment and this led to the praise from Watson.

Macheda is in the final few months of his United career, as his contract runs out in the summer. He has been widely linked with a return to Italian football, but on the basis of this form, Birmingham would want to keep him on a permanent basis by offering a contract. The 23-year-old has already scored nine goals in just 12 matches for the blues. He has been more effective from the start, as he has four goals in just seven starts. Watson has revealed that he spoke with a couple of assistant coaches at United, who spoke highly of the goalscoring abilities of the Italian.

“I remember talking to some lads at Manchester United, a couple of coaches, a couple who are still playing, before we got him. I asked them what Kiko was like and the overall answer was ‘scores goals’. Whether it is training or a game. Sometimes he will frustrate you, sometimes he will play on the shoulder and be offside, sometimes he won’t hold the ball up like you want him to,” said assistant manager Steve Watson.

Birmingham’s next match would be against Middlesbrough and this will also be away from home.