Chris Davies has shared his thoughts on how Birmingham City's owners, Knighthead, view the team's first season back in the Championship. The Blues will finish their campaign with a trip to Portsmouth on Saturday, already guaranteed a top-half finish. A point would secure their best second-tier points tally since 2011/12, and finishing ninth would mark their highest league position since that season.
Owners' Perspective
Despite not achieving the promotion push Knighthead initially hoped for, Davies believes the owners see the progress made. “We talk a lot after each game, and my understanding is they can see the progress and challenges we've faced, and the bigger picture of where we're going,” Davies said. “There's a lot to feel positive about, and my communications with them suggest that.”
Season Reflections
Davies, in his second season as a manager and first in the Championship, acknowledged the learning curve. “We've had difficult spells, like seven games without a win over Christmas, and our away form has let us down. But finishing in the top half is a solid foundation. I've learned a lot about managing at this level and adapting our style.”
Tactical Evolution
One key lesson has been the need to adapt to the Championship's physicality. Davies admitted, “The league is more physical than I thought. We started with the same system from League One, but we've since developed a more direct approach, especially with August Priske up front. We've learned that we need to be more effective to pick up points.”
Looking Ahead
Davies emphasized the need for more goals to challenge the top teams. “We've been defensively solid, but we haven't scored enough. To compete with the parachute teams and powerhouses, we must improve the squad and maintain a competitive mindset.”
