Derby County defeated Birmingham City 1-0 to keep up in the play-off race and also eliminate one of their rivals
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
18:26, 21 Mar 2026
Chris Davies, manager of Birmingham City (Image: Lindsey Parnaby/Shutterstock)
Chris Davies was highly critical of Birmingham City’s performance as their play-off hopes were finally rendered fanciful by Derby County.
A goal from Rhian Brewster just before half time was enough to give the Rams a 1-0 win, maintain their own top six hopes and distinguish those of John Eustace’s former club.
While the Rams boss was left to fire shots about ‘no fear football’, his counterpart – and successor in the Birmingham City hotseat – Davies didn’t hold back in his condemnation of his side’s display.
“Very disappointed with the result and performance, we didn’t deserve anything from the match,” Davies said. “It’s very frustrating and the story of our season in many ways.
“If that game was at St Andrews it would look completely different, we would have been on the front foot the entire game but away from home we’ve had many performances like this.
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“The strength and personality to really hurt the opposition hasn’t been there and ultimately it’s my responsibility, that’s my job to get that out of the players and put a team on the pitch that can do that. Today was a big, big game for our season and it’s even more painful that we lose the game in such a fashion.
“I thought first half we were trying to be a bit more solid and make sure we didn’t give anything sloppy away but we conceded a poorly timed goal and a very soft goal right on half-time but it was with the ball I was equally disappointed.
“There wasn’t the bravery, the forward thinking and we just didn’t have the strength or personality to look dangerous with any possession we had.
“Second half I thought we improved in terms of possession, we had a lot more of the ball but without making that last touch or pass to be dangerous enough again.”
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