Former Birmingham City captain Troy Deeney has delivered a glowing assessment of current Blues manager Chris Davies, drawing a fascinating parallel with Arsenal's title-chasing boss Mikel Arteta.
Arteta Comparison for Blues Boss
Speaking exclusively on the Keep Right On podcast, courtesy of Spreadex Sports, the lifelong Blues fan and former player didn't hold back in his praise. "I think the manager is mustard. And I think he's a top, top bloke," Deeney stated, before making the lofty comparison to the Gunners' highly-regarded leader.
While Arteta's Arsenal sit top of the Premier League, Davies' Birmingham are navigating a Championship campaign after a dominant League One season. The transition hasn't been entirely smooth. After a promising first month, the team experienced a dip, managing just one win in seven games, which saw them slide down the table.
Driving Standards Through Relentless Philosophy
Deeney provided insight into this period of adjustment, suggesting complacency from their League One dominance was a factor. "Because last year in League One, we were the best team by a country mile," he explained. "So what happens with that is complacency kicks in."
He noted that the step up to the Championship required a mental re-engagement from the players, a challenge he believes Davies is perfectly equipped to handle. "The manager drives standards, and I know that factually," Deeney revealed. "He drives everyone to be better than they should be, even when they're winning he wants more."
A Modern Coach with an Old-School Mentality
Deeney, who clarified he knows Davies only professionally and not as a personal friend, described the manager as a unique blend. "I just think he's the modern-day coach now, but with the mentality of the old school of 'keep going, keep driving and keep winning' - to just be relentless with it," he said.
It is this relentless nature that cements the Arteta comparison for Deeney. "I see a lot of Arteta in him, a lot of Arteta in what he does," he continued. "He's just relentless, just the way you train is the way you play... we're going to keep doing it our way and we're going to find ways to win."
This approach seems to be bearing fruit. Birmingham have won three of their last five games, heading into the international break in 11th place and looking up the table with renewed optimism. For Deeney, the message to the players is clear: they must now step up to the demanding standard their "mustard" manager is setting.
