Birmingham City marked their 10th clean sheet of the Championship season on Sunday, with Phil Neumann playing a pivotal role—starting in eight of those shutouts. After being dropped in February during a seven-game unbeaten run, Neumann’s reinstatement has coincided with a notable improvement in the team’s defensive solidity.
Despite an unlucky loss to Ipswich Town on Easter Monday, Blues bounced back emphatically with a commanding victory over Wrexham, highlighting the positive impact of Neumann’s return. In the last two matches, he has held his own against two of the Championship’s toughest centre-forwards, George Hirst and Kieffer Moore, showcasing encouraging signs of growth.
Earlier in the season, Neumann wasn’t widely regarded as commanding or dominant, especially compared to his defensive partner Christoph Klarer. However, his recent displays against Moore have seen him assert greater physicality and aerial presence. Neumann won six aerial duels against Moore—second only to August Priske among Blues players—demonstrating his ability to match the league’s physical demands.
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Blues manager Chris Davies praised Neumann’s pace, height, and improved aerial ability, emphasizing the defender’s hunger to prove himself. “He’s got a good opportunity now to really show what he can do,” said Davies. “I want them all to show that they’re hungry and capable of being top players at this club and this level.”
Neumann’s partnership with Klarer looks promising for next season. When both have started in Championship matches, Blues have averaged 1.5 points per game—translating to a competitive total that often challenges for playoff positions. By contrast, Blues’ performance dips considerably when Neumann is absent.
This data raises questions about the earlier decisions to favor other centre-backs like Jack Robinson, Jonathan Panzo, or Eiran Cashin, all left-footed, which complicated Davies’ efforts to balance the defense. The manager’s preference to position Klarer on the right side has contributed to fluctuating defensive selections, resulting in 19 different combinations this season and a lack of stable back four consistency.
Davies acknowledged the challenge: “We’ve never had a real consistency of starting XI that I want. It’s something I’ve thought about more than anything this season.” He noted injuries and tactical changes disrupted attempts to build a settled defense, with a core group of just four or five players emerging at best.
Moving forward, Birmingham City are expected to prioritize signing a left-sided centre-back—a position they unsuccessfully tried to fill three times this season. Nevertheless, Neumann’s recent performances suggest he should be firmly in contention to remain part of the defensive core.
If Blues truly embrace a data-driven approach, Neumann’s contributions are encouraging. While there is room for improvement, his numbers support keeping him among the club’s defensive options in the upcoming transfer window.