JUST IN: Birmingham City Boss Issued A “Strong Warning” Amid Transfer Saga And Vows That He Must Bring The…

JUST IN: Birmingham City Boss Issued A “Strong Warning” Amid Transfer Saga And Vows That He Must Bring The…

There are 57 reasons why Chris Davies has to address Birmingham City transfer issue

Birmingham City’s success this season has been built on a solid defence, protected by an unbreakable midfield pairing.

Consistency in selection has been key for Chris Davies at that end of the field with Ryan Allsop, Christoph Klarer, Ben Davies and Alex Cochrane virtually ever-present since the turn of the year. Ethan Laird was a mainstay at right-back before a recent injury, too.

At the other end of the field Blues haven’t always been in sync. The League One leaders have only scored more than two goals in six of their 35 league fixtures and they have only won by three goals or more on two occasions.

That statistic probably boils down to inconsistency in selection. Blues have used 26 different combinations of the front four this season and fielded the same quartet in consecutive games on just six occasions.

One of the reasons for the chopping and changing is injuries out wide. Davies has been without his three wingers for large parts of this season.

Keshi Anderson has missed 12 games through three separate injuries, Scott Wright has only played 20 matches due to a mid-season calf issue and a season-ending knee injury, and Emil Hansson has missed two chunks and 24 games with muscular problems.

Collectively, Blues’ wide players have missed 57 games this season through injury.

On this week’s Keep Right On Podcast, Blues reporter Alex Dicken said: “I don’t think Chris Davies has been able to get four players playing perfectly together at any one time and we all know he would probably rather not make changes.

“He has probably been frustrated by it, as we have. Injuries have also played a big part. The wide department has really suffered this season and I don’t think he’s had all three wingers fit at the same time.

“When we talk about the defensive structure and success that Blues have had this season, to do well in the Championship next season they will have to be better going forward.”

Brian Dick added: “Having thought about it, I would say I don’t think it’s the changes that have made the attack appear disjointed or laboured, I would say it’s the lack of convincing performance from the players when they’ve played.”

Blues will no doubt look to add attacking quality during the summer transfer window in preparation for next season’s Championship.

Jay Stansfield is a readymade Championship forward and Anderson has proved his quality, if not his ability to steer clear of injuries. But Blues will need to enhance Davies’ attacking options if they are to compete for promotion next season as well.