FORMER West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer admitted the future looks bleak for his old club after his sixth goal of the season for Birmingham plunged the Hammers further into the relegation mire at the weekend.

Bowyer's 52nd minute strike was enough for the Blues to take all three points at St Andrews as Gianfranco Zola's side slipped into the drop zone once again, although he refused to celebrate his goal against the team he still supports.

A lack of penetration in attack was all too evident once again on Saturday, after the same team had failed to make any impression on a patched-up Manchester United defence last weekend.

Carlton Cole remains sidelined with a knee injury, as does young striker Zavon Hines. That has left Mexican Guillermo Franco and Italian Alessandro Diamanti to shoulder the goalscoring responsibilities and, despite both players coming close against City, a lack of a cutting edge was evident – a point Bowyer was quick to make after the game.

"They have lost some good players and you could see the type of replacements they have," said the midfielder. "In this league you need to score goals and if you don't you will be in trouble. [Kieron] Dyer has come back, which is a bonus for them.

"He hit the post against us and will be a big player. But you need more than one player to score you goals. I couldn't really see many players out there who are going to get them. Carlton Cole is out, who is obviously a big player, and I am concerned for them."

Bowyer has found a new lease of life under Alex McLeish, something he feels he was denied after the departure of Alan Curbishley before he was eventually released for nothing at the end of last season.

"Every player wants to feel wanted and loved," Bowyer added. "That is how I feel here. The management and coaching staff and fans have made me feel like that. At West Ham I didn't feel I got a fair go once [Alan] Curbishley went. To a certain extent they let me go because of money but they still could have played me while I was there. I would have stayed there and finished my career there if I could have."