The Belarus international joined Blues from Barcelona in the summer and has since made three Premier League starts for the club. But, while Hleb is grateful for more regular playing time, he admits he has become disillusioned at St Andrews. Hleb said in the Daily Star: "I'm not quite happy with the level of the team, but such things do happen. It's just life. "I did tell the papers that Birmingham is not exactly Barcelona or Arsenal. "In the recent Birmingham games there was a lot of struggle - they were constantly hoofing the long ball forward. "Naturally I miss the combinational and creative football by Arsenal and Barca, but that was my own choice. "The Birmingham style is not the kind of game I dreamed about. "It is good that now I have a lot of time on the pitch, but I want to play football of a different kind." However, Hleb did stress that he remains committed to giving his all for the club. He added: "Birmingham is more a team of fighters, but now I need to get used to their manner of playing. "But as a whole everything suits me now - a good manager and fine relations with my team-mates."
