Chris Davies was speaking to the media after Birmingham City’s damaging defeat to Watford on New Year’s Day
18:08, 01 Jan 2026Updated 18:14, 01 Jan 2026
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies before the Watford match
Chris Davies admits his Birmingham City team were ‘well short of the level’ required to repair their wretched away record in the 3-0 defeat to Watford.
Tom Ince netted a hat-trick at Vicarage Road to inflict a ninth defeat in 13 away matches on Blues.
Davies reflected: “I’m extremely disappointed. They’re really soft goals that we’ve conceded. We put ourselves in a really difficult position against a good team away from home.
“It was clear to me that we were nowhere near the level required to win a match. It was well short of the level you expect from a Birmingham City team and a team I put on the pitch.”
Supporters aired their frustrations quite early on with chants of ‘sideways and backwards, everywhere we go’ in a blast at the team’s playing style.
“I didn’t hear the chanting. In terms of the style of football, we’re a team that tries to be aggressive, tries to press the opposition and keep the ball close to their goal, try to dominate the ball but create chances with it,” said Davies.
“We’re not a team that passes the ball around at the back going nowhere. I don’t think we’ve ever been that since I’ve been here. That’s certainly not how we train.
“An attacking style of football is what we’ve had here. Today wasn’t quick enough, that was the problem. We were too slow. They were sat in a block and waiting for us to make a mistake and counter-attack. We weren’t moving the ball quickly enough to put them in dangerous areas to put them under pressure with crosses.
“I don’t think it was a style of play issue at all, it was a speed of play issue, and something we need to improve.
“When it clicks we have scored four goals in three games this season, so we can do it, but unfortunately that wasn’t anywhere near it today.”
Tensions threatened to boil over when the players approached the away end at full-time. Those who hadn’t left vented their anger at the players and a few had words.
Substitute striker Marvin Ducksch had an exchange with one fan before being moved away by his teammates.
Davies added: “The supporters are amazing. We’ve got a great fanbase here and they will back the team if they see a team that’s fighting and doing everything for the club and that’s what I’ve always tried to have here.
“The supporters are entitled to voice their frustrations, absolutely. They pay their money and travel a long way to watch this club and our away performances have just not been good enough.
“We haven’t got enough to show for it.
“In any football club, togetherness is a very important thing within the dressing room and the club. I don’t think we’ve lost it, but it’s been challenged by the run we’re having.
“I don’t know what actually happened but if you’re talking with supporters in a reasonable way then there’s no harm in that, but in that situation you don’t want any confrontation or things like that. I’m not sure exactly what happened.
“The players’ job is to work hard for this club, this badge, this team and the fans have been amazing since I’ve been here.”
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