Birmingham City have pinpointed a critical area for improvement if they are to mount a genuine promotion challenge in the Championship next season: their abysmal away form.
Last season exposed a glaring contrast between their dominant home performances and their struggles on the road. Under Chris Davies, Blues thrived at St Andrew’s, where over 27,000 passionate fans regularly filled the stands. Birmingham claimed 44 points from 23 home games, winning 12, a tally surpassed at home only by champions Coventry and runners-up Ipswich Town.
Away from their fortress, however, Birmingham’s fortunes nosedived. Only West Brom, Oxford United, and Sheffield Wednesday gathered fewer points on their travels. The Blues managed just five away wins — against Blackburn, Preston, Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford, and Norwich — before finishing the campaign with six consecutive away fixtures without a victory.
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Defensive vulnerabilities were often exposed, with four heavy 3-0 losses showcasing their struggles. Offensively, Birmingham’s 18 goals on the road were modest, bettered only by Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke. For travelling fans, the rewards hardly justified the time and expense. One loyal supporter, attending every away match, reportedly spent over £740 on tickets alone, excluding travel, food, and other expenses.
The frustrations reached a peak during the painful trip to Derby, where an unfathomable team selection was followed by one of the poorest performances of the season. Davies faced criticism over his future and acknowledged his players’ shortcomings, particularly their lack of strength and conviction with the ball in away fixtures.
“We lose possession too easily and lack those moments that can uplift a team on the road,” Davies admitted. “At home, we are among the best, but away, we’ve been way below par. It’s been a clear point of reflection for me.”
Following this low, Davies made tactical adjustments, opting for a simpler, more direct playing style and fielding more physical players to improve resilience and win duels. This shift, while not always reflected in points, made the team more competitive away from home. Draws against Ipswich and Hull, and a strong showing at Portsmouth on the final day, hinted at progress.
“It’s a solid blueprint,” Davies said. “We’re playing a different type of football away — less pressure on ourselves, getting the ball forward quicker, and counter-attacking more effectively. We’re unsettling opponents more now.”
Whether this revamped approach will convert into crucial points remains to be seen. However, maintaining their strong home record combined with a marked improvement on the road should position Birmingham City well to challenge for promotion next season. One thing is clear: they simply cannot reproduce last season’s road misery.