Birmingham City have been informed that if they want to compete for promotion from the Championship this season, they must improve their away form.
Following a record-breaking League One campaign the previous season, there was a lot of enthusiasm about Chris Davies’ side, especially because the manager was once again backed in the transfer market.
However, as we near the midway point, it’s fair to say that Blues have been inconsistent, with the squad currently sitting in the middle of the league, while being only five points away from the play-offs.
Birmingham City’s away performance is becoming a severe issue.
Of course, after 21 games, tendencies will emerge, and it is evident that Birmingham has a huge issue in that they are not scoring enough points away from home.
To their credit, the Blues are a strong force at St. Andrew’s, even if the 1-1 stalemate with Charlton Athletic last time out was extremely disheartening.
However, 21 points from 10 games on their own turf is an excellent return, and Davies’ men have only lost once at home, demonstrating that they have transformed their stadium into a fortress.
Unfortunately for Birmingham, they have failed to replicate that record on the road, earning only eight points from 11 games and losing seven of them.
Clearly, it is not good enough for a side wanting to go up, and when asked by FLW about their away day troubles, Birmingham fan pundit Jason Moore made it clear that it is preventing them from fighting for promotion.
“It’s as clear as this: if we don’t improve our away form, we won’t get promoted, and we won’t even qualify for the playoffs. “Our away form is relegation form, let alone a promotion push,” Jason told FLW.
“So, it has to pick up, and that’s my main concern right now, and Davies needs to find it out, because that’s surprising.
“We’ve lost seven out of 11 games, and we’ve given up the first goal nine times – that’s terrible! So, yeah, it’s a legitimate concern, and how can you be so terrific at home but so horrible away? I just don’t understand it. He always puts out the same XI.
“Our next away game is against Sheffield United, and I am not confident; I believe we will lose comfortably. How can things be so different? Davies has to find it out.
“I can handle losing, but it’s how we lose. You have admirers who are willing to spend so much money and travel so far to see us perform. It is nothing short of disgraceful.
Chris Davies must make changes at Birmingham City to tackle away day issues.
At this point in the season, this is a worrying trend for Birmingham, and Davies must accept responsibility.
That’s because it’s more than just the results; when you watch the team play, they appear to be a different team in terms of how they approach opponents and manage games.
Obviously, the fans make a difference, since St. Andrew’s can create a fantastic environment, but they shouldn’t have such an impact on how the team plays.
Whether it’s a tactical change or a personnel issue, Davies must do something to make the Blues a more tough team to beat on the road, since seven defeats in 11 is completely unacceptable given the squad’s potential, and it is what’s holding them back right now.
Furthermore, when you don’t get success away, it puts even greater pressure on Birmingham to keep winning at home, which, as we saw on Saturday, is not assured.
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