Last month Gary McSheffrey was named the January winner of the PFA Fans' Player of the Month award for the Championship - and rightly so. The left winger has been a revelation at Birmingham since joining from near neighbours Coventry in August. He has racked up 16 goals for Steve Bruce's side and his latest strike against Stoke proved invaluable last weekend. It gave Blues their first win of 2007 and propelled them back into the automatic promotion places - albeit for a few days. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke exclusively to McSheffrey about winning the award and the remainder of the campaign.
Q:WAS IT A NICE SURPRISE TO WIN THE PFA FANS’ PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD?
A:I didn't know about the award if I am totally honest. However, it is always nice to win to win a trophy especially when it has been voted for by supporters. But I can assure you I didn't sit on the Internet voting for myself! Seriously, I am happy that the supporters have recognised me in this way.
Q:YOUR GAME SEEMS TO HAVE IMPROVED IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS SINCE YOU LEFT COVENTRY IN THE SUMMER – IS THAT 16 GOALS FOR THE SEASON SO FAR?
A:I have got 17 goals this season as I scored one for Coventry as well don't forget! I am very pleased how it is going personally but I would swap it all for promotion. The ambition still has to be to achieve promotion in May and that is one of the main reasons why I came to Birmingham. However, we've got to earn the right to be promoted as it isn't just going to happen.”
Q:THERE HAS BEEN MUTTERINGS OF UNREST FROM THE BOARDROOM AND TERRACES BUT YOU ARE THIRD WITH THREE GAMES IN HAND – IS THAT ACCEPTABLE?
A:We probably would have taken this position at the start of the season but is important that we kick on now and make sure we finish in the top two come May.
Q:YOU ALWAYS SEEM VERY RELAXED WHEN YOU STEP OUT ON TO THE PITCH DON'T YOU?
A:I don't tend to get too fazed by what happens in the game and I like to just get on with things. If you worry about things too much then they tend to get on top of you and we perhaps did that last month as we had a bad January. The win against Stoke will do us some good so hopefully we can kick on from here.
Q:THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PITCH THIS SEASON – WHAT IS IT LIKE TO PLAY ON AT PRESENT?
A:The pitch is absolutely shocking. Some parts are really boggy and some parts are bone dry, which can make it heavy going. It has been relaid so hopefully it will get better and it needs to as home games should be your bankers but it is like playing on a ploughed field at times. It is the same for both teams and we will have to get used to it and adjust. It is definitely an obstacle we re going to have to overcome Mind you, we aren't alone in that as Chelsea have been having the same problems and have demanded the pitch is
