Norwich City v Birmingham City: Chris Davies makes it clear what he thinks of Philippe Clement | OneFootball

The Blues chief credits how improved Norwich have been under the Belgian boss

Norwich City welcome Birmingham City to Carrow Road this Saturday, with both sides looking to keep their outside chances at finishing in the play-offs alive.

Both sides put in impressive showings in the FA Cup last weekend, with the Blues pushing last season's Championship champions, Leeds United, all the way to penalties in defeat, and Norwich breezing past fellow second-tier outfit West Brom to set up a last 16 tie with Daniel Farke's side next month.

The Canaries have been a much-improved outfit since Philippe Clement took charge of the club back in November, even though his first game ended in a heavy 4-1 defeat.

That defeat came at St Andrew's against this weekend's visitors, but that has been just one of the five losses Norwich have incurred in the 19 games the Belgian boss has overseen in all competitions.

Birmingham boss Chris Davies is expecting a different kind of test against the Canaries this weekend, as he hopes his side can continue this rare unbeaten stretch on the road to pursue the climb up towards the top six.

Chris Davies credits Norwich City resurgence under Philippe Clement

Norwich were cut adrift in the relegation zone when Philippe Clement took over in late November, but since his first game in charge, the Canaries have picked up the fifth most points in the division.

Their play-off hopes may be slim still, as they come into this weekend's clash with Birmingham nine points and 11 places behind Derby County, but the fact that there are hopes even present is something that Blues manager Chris Davies credits Clement with.

"I think they've improved," Davies told the BBC ahead of this weekend's trip to Carrow Road. "His very first game was against us, but it was after an international break, and he didn't have much training with them.

"However, you saw the little things he did that he's then continued to do tactically, and he's got attacking players going and has made them more solid defensively.

"Pre-season, they were fancied as a contender for the top six, and the way they're going now, they're obviously making strides, and I remember when we played them last time, I felt that some of their players were pretty handy for this level.

"So, yeah, it'll be a good game for us."

Birmingham City could make a massive play-off statement with a win at Norwich City

It's safe to say that the lofty expectations placed on Birmingham throughout this season have only increased after the display against Premier League opposition in front of the TV cameras last weekend, and this Saturday could be the start of a big run-in for the Blues en route to a top-six finish.

However, it won't be easy, as Norwich have been a formidable side so far in 2026, and, even with 2-0 wins in their last two away games at Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday, questions are still being asked about Birmingham's away form.

Three wins in their last four on the road are a positive on paper, but given that in the league, those wins have come against the bottom two sides, and the trip to Cambridge United in the FA Cup saw them almost throw away a three-goal lead against League Two opposition, critics aren't sold just yet.

A win in the backyard of one of the best sides in the division over the last 15 games, though, will make those critics take a lot more notice, and have them believing that the Blues may have gotten over their away-day struggles.

And if they can do that and pair it with their impressive home record, there may be nothing stopping Chris Davies' side from being the one side in this incredibly congested race for sixth place to emerge as the winners come the start of May.