Exclusive: Don Goodman issues new Birmingham City prediction - "I would expect..." | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has given his thoughts on Birmingham City's start to the season.

It has been far from the start envisioned by Birmingham City supporters after making their Championship return, although a midweek victory over Preston North End may be the catalyst for a rise up the table for the Midlands outfit.

Blues are sitting in the mid-table section of the Championship after originally making a positive start to life back in the second tier after taking League One by storm last term.

Without a win since late September, Birmingham fell to defeat against Hull City over the weekend and were in desperate need of points after a promising transfer window saw the club recruit the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Marvin Ducksch, Tommy Doyle and Demarai Gray, and they managed to grab all three at Deepdale on Tuesday evening thanks to Phil Neumann's first-half goal.

"They just need to turn things around" - Don Goodman makes Birmingham City claim

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has given his thoughts on the Blues' indifferent start to the season.

"It's a little surprising where Birmingham City find themselves at the minute," said Goodman when asked whether he is shocked at how the season's opening months have panned out at St Andrew's.

"Before a ball was kicked, I thought that they would find it difficult to fight right at the very top, but that they had an outside chance of a play-off spot.

"Then, I watched their first three games, and thought, 'maybe I am wrong here, this is a good team', but they have just lost their way in the last seven, with one win (prior to the victory against Preston).

"A lack of discipline was pointed out by Chris Davies as being pivotal against Hull, with Jack Robinson's second red card in a very short space of time.

"So yes, I am surprised they have slipped the pecking order. They are conceding way too many goals, with nine conceded in the last four games (prior to a clean sheet against Preston."

Blues have kept a clean sheet just three times in the league thus far, and prior to beating PNE 1-0, their latest shutout came on September 20 in a victory against Swansea City.

"There's a lot for Davies to fix, but he has credit in the bank," said Goodman.

"They just need to turn things around and build a bit of confidence, then I would expect them to climb the table from where they are."

Davies' side find themselves sitting in 12th position after their win over North End, although that could change depending on Wednesday night's results, but as of now they're a far cry from the original promotion suggestions made before a ball was kicked this season.

Goodman went on to mention that: "One win in seven is always going to pile a lot of pressure on your shoulders, and Davies will accept that."

Birmingham should trust Chris Davies as pressure mounts

Given the club's recent Championship exploits before their League One tour last term, it is hard to believe that Birmingham is a club expected to be fighting among the promotion contenders - though that itself is indicative of just how lofty the ambitions of the club's American owners are.

With the investment made over the summer, Birmingham are not looking to mess around when it comes to climbing up to the Premier League, with the club progressing with their plans for a new 62,000 seater stadium, alongside a new Birmingham Sports Quarter.

However, as mentioned by Goodman, Chris Davies has credit in the bank after guiding the Blues to the League One title last season, smashing the points record set by West Midlands rivals Wolves in the process after amassing a total of 111.

Prior to beating Preston, Birmingham sat second in the division when it comes to their average possession of 57.1%, while they had underperformed by more than four goals when it came to their expected goals tally of 14.4, compared to their registered number of 10.

And at the other end, they are conceding more than they should - with 14 goals conceded from an xGA stat of 9.9 - the fourth best in the division.

The hope is that these numbers will even themselves out over the course of the season and that the Blues will begin to put results on the board.

Davies has earned a chance to guide his side through their toughest period since he joined the club in 2024, and a surge in confidence sparked by performances and results would certainly ease the pressure that is currently weighing both him and the squad down.