Jerome has been Birmingham's unsung hero in recent games with his unselfish running and workrate while Nikola Zigic has grabbed the headlines. But the contribution of Jerome - the club's top scorer last season with 11 goals - has not gone unnoticed by McLeish despite failing to find the net in the last five matches. McLeish, whose side visit second from bottom Wolves on Sunday, said: "We've been quite unlucky chance-wise but guys like Jerome have to keep on believing. "Cameron's form has been tremendous and it is surely going to happen for him (in front of goal). "Everyone knows about the tremendous work rate he puts in game after game. "He got 11 goals last season and he is getting some chances now and I thought he has been unlucky. "There was one situation in the recent game with Aston Villa where Cameron was as calm as I've seen him in front of goal. "You can see the education is getting through and he is learning the game." Birmingham are unbeaten in their last five league and cup matches and McLeish is quick to praise the character shown by his players in reviving their fortunes. He said: "The one thing you can't deny is their sprit. Their mental toughness is getting stronger and stronger. "I think they've taken it into their heads about their character, spirit and resilience. "They know they've got those traits and I think it is right we should keep praising those. "There is a lot of honesty in the dressing room. They don't want to let their team-mates down." McLeish believes Craig Gardner is reaping the benefits of regular first-team football as he approaches the end of his first 12 months at St Andrew's. Gardner made the £3 million move from Aston Villa because of a lack of opportunities under Martin O'Neill. He has blossomed at City and his equaliser against Tottenham last weekend means he is the club's leading scorer with five goals this season. McLeish said: "Craig is just a boy that's been waiting for a chance. "He never quite got into the Villa team regularly and played in different positions. He was a jack of all trades. "He's come in for us first in a wide position and now in a central area, and he's done great. "But there's marvellous competition within the squad. "Lee Bowyer has come back into great form as well. "It's very difficult for me to pick a first XI in certain positions and that's what every manager wants."
