Birmingham City attacker James McFadden admits he's been reluctant to leave the house this week after Sunday's derby humiliation at Aston Villa.

McFadden, 25, confessed: "I haven't become a recluse but I've kept my head down when I've been out and hoped I wouldn't bump into anyone.

"I've tried not to see any fans because they don't want to see me swanning around.

"I'd also be a bit embarrassed to see the fans because I know how they feel. They are going to have their noses rubbed in it until the next time we play Villa."

Blues supporters have accused the team of giving up the ghost at Villa Park - and the criticism has certainly hit home.

Now Scottish ace McFadden, a £5million buy from Everton in January, is desperate to give the Blues faithful something to cheer against Liverpool today.

He added: "It hurts when you get that kind of criticism from the fans but they are passionate and they see things from a different perspective.

"I was trying hard and all the lads were. If that's the way they saw it then we have to make sure they do not see it from that point of view again.

"And the fans can play a massive part in it against Liverpool.

"We have still got some fight in us and we want to show that."