Despite playing Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea just 48 hours earlier and holding them to a goalless draw, McLeish opted to name an unchanged side for the eighth successive match yesterday at Stoke.

Fatigue could have played a part but there was little in evidence as the Blues recorded a 1-0 win, their 11th consecutive league game without defeat equalling a 101-year old top-flight record.

Following Cameron Jerome's fourth goal of the season in the 50th minute, McLeish cannot fault his players right now.

"With every week, every victory, every good performance, then the expectations rise, and the players have met them head on," said McLeish.

"They've fantastic evidence in their locker now that they can go on to the next challenge.

"I think they've played better than maybe they realised they could be.

"From the start of the season, when we were getting written off, we have changed a lot of people's minds and opinions, and that's no small feat."

Asked if his players faced burn-out if he continued to name the same 11 week in week out, McLeish acknowledged there was a risk, but one being overcome by their mental strength.

"There's a big danger they will become tired if I keep naming an unchanged side," he said.

"You do worry about players' fatigue, but when the psychological side of things is as powerful as it is in our dressing room at the moment, you don't feel tiredness.

"I was amazed at the way they knocked the ball about, whilst their mobility was excellent. They didn't look tired just 48 hours after playing against the league leaders."

The Blues are now riding high in seventh with 32 points from 20 games and seem certain to avoid relegation, unlike the Blues side which went 11 unbeaten in 1908.

The magical 40-point barrier, however, is still the target for McLeish, who added: "The sooner we get around about there the better.

"It's a cut-off point in terms of relegation, but you never know in this league which is so competitive. I think Colin Todd, when he was at Bolton, went down with 39 points one year.

"We're obviously talking about better things, but we still want to ensure our Premier League security and we've gathered ourselves the most fantastic chance to achieve that."

Stoke, meanwhile, have taken one point from their last five games and failed to score in five of their last six.

The latest loss was a galling one for manager Tony Pulis who said: "(Thomas) Sorensen has not had a shot of any significance to save, apart from the ball he picks out of the back of the net.

"As a manager I've had a few periods where things have just not gone your way, not dropped for you.

"I just hope when the new year comes I get a little bit more luck, or at least the team gets a bit more."

Pulis felt his side should have had a penalty when Stephen Carr clashed with Robert Huth in the area, but Martin Atkinson was unmoved.

"There's a preconceived idea the crowd is so fanatical, and so much behind the team, that referees are coming here to prove they are strong enough not to react," Pulis said.

"It's as blatant a penalty as you will see and he (Atkinson) is five yards away from it."