Birmingham City: Chris Davies told to stop 'overcoaching nonsense' as 'shocking' trend continues | OneFootball

Blues failed to test the Rams rearguard in another lethargic away performance

Birmingham City saw their hopes of gatecrashing the Championship's play-off picture effectively ended by an extremely concerning display and 1-0 defeat to Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon.

Inconsistency has been the overriding theme of Blues' first season back in the Championship under Chris Davies, although it certainly doesn't align with the overall ambition showcased by the club's American investors, Knighthead Capital Management.

With Davies recently surpassing the 100-game mark in charge at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, there is a strong sample size of matches for the ex-Tottenham Hotspur assistant to be reviewed from when it comes to assessing his fortunes.

Unsurprisingly, the 40-year-old was the subject of mass praise this time 12 months ago as, in his first-ever season in a managerial position, he was able to guide Birmingham to the League One title at a record-breaking, 19-point canter despite being handed previously unseen financial tools by third-tier standards to complete the first objective on Tom Wagner's rebuilding shortlist.

Yet, despite continuing to be backed in the transfer market across both windows this current campaign - which included a major squad reshuffle in the winter window - Davies currently has Blues in 11th, 10 points behind Southampton with only 21 more available.

Whilst his recent comments regarding the fact it is still set to be the club's highest league finish in 10 years are, indeed, true, Blues' recently alarming overall form and abysmal record of 12 defeats in 20 away matches this term has only increased the pressure on Davies' shoulders.

This comes after a failed formation change against the Rams, which saw Birmingham schooled across the pitch by former boss, John Eustace.

Fresh Chris Davies, Birmingham City exit claim emerges after dismal Derby County loss

It was a 1-0 scoreline that flattered Davies' side, with Derby eventually taking the lead minutes before half-time as Rhian Brewster headed Derry Murkin's hanging cross past James Beadle, with the shot-stopper receiving plenty of criticism also for his inability to thwart the forward.

However, the main gripe from Blues fans was that, even with a change to a 3-4-3 formation, their side offered nothing in attacking areas, proven by just three shots across the contest - none of which were on target.

Many were also left puzzled by Davies' decision to deploy Ibrahim Osman as a left-wing-back before replacing the Ghanaian with Carlos Vicente on 58 minutes.

Speaking to Football League World, our Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, believes that there is no coming back for Davies as the club's play-off hopes faded further into the abyss with another abject away display.

"It's a massive concern, but it's not something new for Blues. We've been shocking for most of the season away," he told FLW.

"Not having a shot on target and very minimal shots is what we've been like all season. It's been quite obvious to Blues fans what needs to happen.

"I think Chris Davies needs to step away from his 'overcoaching' nonsense of keeping the ball for the sake of keeping the ball," Moore claimed.

"There needs to be more of a 'nasty streak' when it comes to playing away. Make it tough for them (the opposition) to play their game. We don't show the nastiness you need to win away.

"For example, Preston away (1-0 win, October 21st), that was perfect," he claimed. "We weren't great, but we showed that determination to win.

"We need to move the ball a bit quicker. The players need to take some of the blame and responsibility. That's the most concerning thing about Saturday vs Derby. No one was showing for the ball.

"It was so un-'Blues'-like, and that's got to change ASAP. We've got to move the ball quicker, be braver and just go for it at times.

"Every team in the Championship is beatable. That's the beauty of the Championship. But, I think we're at a point now where I don't think it's recoverable for Chris Davies to be changing it.

"Unfortunately, the only way I think this changes for Blues is that Chris Davies goes," Moore stated.

Chris Davies has bemoaned Birmingham City's away style amid sack calls

With Davies continuing to come under fire for Blues' inconsistent showings, he was another who bemoaned his team's performance away from home yet again at Pride Park.

Naturally, Blues, like any other side, have a greater advantage at St. Andrew's, where they have accrued 35 of their 53 points so far, and have only lost to Hull City and Middlesbrough - the only home league defeats in Davies' tenure.

Meanwhile, a tally of 18 points from a possible 60 away from B9 is only better than the records of Portsmouth, Oxford United, Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday - all of whom occupy a place in the division's bottom six.

Ipswich Town and Hull, who are both still firmly in promotion contention.