Birmingham City: Chris Davies issues James Beadle defence following QPR error | OneFootball

The Birmingham boss has reflected on whether on-loan keeper James Beadle's position is under threat after their midweek defeat

Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has defended goalkeeper James Beadle after his error against Queens Park Rangers.

BirminghamLive have reported that, while admitting that players "have to perform to stay in the team," the on-loan shot-stopper is still seen by the Blues boss as his number one.

Birmingham conclude their three-game week this Saturday at home against Charlton Athletic, looking to bounce back from back-to-back away defeats against Southampton and QPR.

Beadle was culpable for the late Kieran Morgan winner at Loftus Road on Wednesday, and many felt that he could have done a better job with both of Adam Armstrong's goals against Tonda Eckert's side last weekend.

The 21-year-old still has the faith of his manager, however, despite the stiff competition he has with Ryan Allsop in the goalkeeper position.

Chris Davies defends James Beadle following QPR error

Morgan's 97th-minute strike ensured all three points remained in West London, when Birmingham felt they'd salvaged one with a Patrick Roberts equaliser three minutes earlier.

The strike from outside the box was hit with power, pace, and plenty of swerve. Despite this, critics felt that Beadle could have done better to save the effort, and Birmingham boss Chris Davies was therefore asked whether the on-loan Brighton 'keeper's position in the side was under threat.

"With all of them, it's a case that you have to perform to stay in the team," Davies said, as reported by Birmingham Live.

"Obviously, you've got to be sensitive with the goalkeeper position because it's not like a winger where you can jink in and out, you have to be more definitive and give them time.

"James has done really well. He's made some really good saves. I think he's been good, he really has.

"He's really honest as well, which I do love about James. He will admit when he could have saved something or feels he could have done better, rather than blame a defender or blame the wind.

"He will own the situation, and I think that's a really good quality, and why he's got a great chance of really going on in his career to the very top."

Despite having yet to make his senior Brighton bow, Beadle is still regarded as one of the brightest young goalkeepers in the game.

He manned the goal throughout England U21's European Championship success this past summer, and alongside some mistakes, has made some great saves to keep Chris Davies' side in games so far this season.

Seemingly, the Blues boss is prepared to roll with the punches regarding errors and believes that the positives with the 21-year-old outweigh some of the negatives.

Chris Davies started the campaign with his number one from last season, Ryan Allsop, in between the sticks, before Beadle came in from October, after a 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

Allsop is 12 years Beadle's elder, with plenty of recent Championship experience for the likes of Wycombe Wanderers, Derby County, Cardiff City and Hull City.

The 33-year-old has been backing up the Brighton loanee for the last 12 games, but the Birmingham boss doesn't believe that he's a traditional "number two."

"In Ryan, we have a very good — at this moment in time — number two as such. I wouldn't even call him that, I would say it's two number ones because of how many games he's played and how well he's done," he added.

"I've got a lot of trust and confidence in Ryan as well, which puts us in a good position there."

Allsop kept 21 clean sheets in 38 League One games last season, following a shaky opening few games with Bailey Peacock-Farrell in between the sticks.

With 10 goals conceded in eight games, compared to Beadle's 15 conceded in 12, their records are similar in the Championship this season, so right now, there's no real expectation to chop and change in the goalkeeper department just yet.