Jerome's last Premier League goal came 22 games ago against Stoke in a 3-2 defeat at the Britannia Stadium - a drought that stretches back 1,697 minutes. However, McLeish is adamant that his target man, who has only five goals this season, should be judged on more than just goals. He told The Sun: "Actually I think his form has been brilliant. "He's phenomenal for the team - his touch, his hold-up play has all gone to another level for the past few weeks. "Maybe he has not quite had the scoring chances. Nikola Zigic has been missing and Kevin Phillips and Cameron have come to the fore. "He has got better definitely - his awareness of where to run has improved, his hold-up play, his touch. "When he is in a confident mood he is a handful. Every manager we play tells me, 'Wow Jerome has done really well for you'." The Scot believes his striker will soon turn the corner as the club travel to face Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday. He added: "His confidence comes with good performances. Strikers thrive on scoring goals. "I tell him to keep getting himself into goalscoring positions and there are goals in you. You have to reassure people."
