Birmingham City appears set to fall short in their bid for the Championship play-offs after a troubling run of just one win in their last five matches at a crucial stage of the season.
Three weeks ago, the Blues were just two points away from a play-off position. However, a string of poor results has since widened the gap, making a return to the top six a formidable challenge with only eight games remaining.
The club’s owners, Knighthead Capital, who have invested heavily over the past four transfer windows, had ambitious hopes of promotion this season. Naturally, Chris Davies, in his first Championship managerial campaign, has come under increasing scrutiny.
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Supporters have largely remained patient despite some frustration—especially after the disappointing 3-0 defeat to Watford on New Year’s Day, characterized by “sideways and backwards” football. However, as the prospect of making the play-offs dims, questions about Davies’ future have intensified. These concerns were at the forefront during the latest Keep Right On Podcast Q&A.
Podcast presenters Alex Dicken (AD) and Brian Dick (BD) shared their perspectives on Davies’ tenure:
AD acknowledges that considering it’s Davies’ debut Championship season, the campaign has been “acceptable.” However, he highlights the contrast between this acceptability and the lofty expectations set by the owners, who marketed the summer recruitment as a serious challenge for the top of the table.
“There was an expectation for more, especially given the quality brought in during the summer and the repair job in January. With the players at his disposal, a top-six finish seemed doable but hasn’t materialized,” AD explained.
He credits Davies for navigating tough injury challenges and managing two poor form periods—in September and December—the latter being particularly damaging. He also criticized the team’s tactical rigidity, citing the persistent use of the 4-2-3-1 formation and limited experimentation with a back three, which he hoped might provide a strategic alternative but ultimately did not.
“More tactical variation is needed because they’ve become one-dimensional, especially at home. Their home form has dipped, earning just 15 points from the last 10 home games,” AD noted.
Davies’ performance over the final eight games will be pivotal. Though this season might be deemed acceptable, AD believes the upcoming off-season and 2024-25 campaign must see a real push for promotion, especially given the significant summer investment.
BD offered a more measured view, predicting Birmingham will finish around ninth or tenth with about 62-63 points. “That’s okay,” he says, acknowledging that a promotion challenge wasn’t a given despite the summer spending.
He emphasizes the importance of stability: “Chris Davies is relatively new to managing at this level. I’m prepared to give him time to develop, weighing both positives and negatives from this season.”
BD warns against sweeping changes after just one year, noting the club’s ongoing recruitment strategy aimed at a consistent playing style. He believes maintaining this trajectory with a top-half finish justifies giving Davies another season with continued backing.
However, both presenters agree that expectations will rise next season. With increased investment anticipated in the transfer windows ahead, the pressure will mount on Davies to convert the groundwork into a genuine push for promotion.
In short, Birmingham City’s owners at Knighthead must now clarify their promotion ambitions and outline their confidence in Chris Davies as the club looks to move beyond a season filled with promise but ending in uncertainty.