Forest ace sparked Blues fire

Lee Carsley has revealed that Birmingham have used a slur from Nottingham Forest's Luke Chambers to help them back to winning ways.

The veteran midfielder, who joined Blues on a free transfer from Everton in the summer, was incensed by comments Chambers said about the Birmingham players after the recent 1-1 draw at the City Ground which had stretched Alex McLeish's side's winless run to three matches.

Chambers said Forest "battered Birmingham" and that "after 60 minutes they wanted to go home". Carsley pinned the article on the dressing room wall and firmly believes that it helped spur on the players to come back from 2-1 down and defeat Charlton 3-2 at St Andrews on Saturday.

He said on the club's official website: "We've got a nice bunch of lads and they all want to do well but sometimes I think you need a jolt to the system. We've got to have a bit more self belief."

Carsley, who is also looking forward to facing Chambers in the return game with Forest at St Andrews on February 14, added: "It's unfortunate that he came out and said that because when we play Forest here we will give them a right good game. You respect your opponents. They overstepped the mark there."