Birmingham City have seized serious transfer gold at Middlesbrough and Stoke’s expense | OneFootball

Liam Millar has already proven why Chris Davies courted his services for some time

Birmingham City rounded off the first eight matches of the Championship season with a pulsating 2-2 draw against promotion hopefuls, Middlesbrough, at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

It was another contest which demonstrated the competitive nature of Chris Davies' side, but again proved that there are flaws which need to be ironed out the other side of the three-week international break.

However, it has still been an encouraging start for Blues, who have tasted defeat just once - against Norwich City at Carrow Road on September 9th.

The atmosphere surrounding the club in pre-season wasn't exactly one of immense optimism, due to a lack of activity in the transfer market compared to previous windows in the Knighthead era.

But it's fair to say the loan capture of Liam Millar may have some divisional rivals scratching their heads, even if they have also impressed on the field in recent weeks.

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Throughout the opening three matches of the league season, during which Birmingham took five points, there were still a select number of problems in need of solving.

The left-wing area had been one of the areas in question, especially after fitness issues concerning Demarai Gray, whilst the West Midlands outfit were also unable to strike a transfer reunion with Ibrahim Osman.

This left club-record signing, Jay Stansfield, featuring out wide against Sheffield United and Bristol City, and as had proven to be the case in previous outings where such a decision was made, the forward struggled to impact the game whatsoever, which left some supporters concerned.

Liam Millar has added a new dimension to Chris Davies' Birmingham City

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However, patience certainly paid off for Blues as Millar was loaned in from the newly-promoted Tigers on Deadline Day, watching the 1-1 draw against Southampton from the stands before debuting against Wolves.

The 44-time international had, days before, netted Hull's winner against Coventry City in the Premier League, having also featured for joint-hosts Canada at the FIFA World Cup, and after a mixed time at the MKM Stadium, largely due to a serious ACL injury, he has certainly added a new dimension to Birmingham in two weeks' worth of action.

After being responsible for the press which forced Jackson Tchatchoua's own-goal in the local derby on September 6th, Millar had a first goal controversially ruled out against Norwich before providing an assist for Carlos Vicente and adding two more in the comeback win at Derby County last weekend.

Having seen his high-quality performance at Pride Park recognised, the 26-year-old then netted his first goal in royal blue 55 minutes into Saturday's contest with a low strike past Radek Vitek, which only added to his flying start.

Chris Davies will love Liam Millar's impact after transfer admission

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Millar's start to life at St. Andrew's will certainly please Davies even more with the knowledge that they were able to fend off competition from Stoke City and Middlesbrough for his services late in the window.

Clearly buoyed by his summer exploits and a small taste of top-flight football in East Yorkshire, Davies will also feel great pleasure after revealing how the loan agreement wasn't the first time he had tracked the Liverpool academy graduate.

"I've been a big admirer of Liam Millar for a long time," said the Birmingham boss after the loan deal was confirmed. "I've tried to get him in a few transfer windows now - but never been able to.

"He's a player with a lot of experience of this league. We've had to be patient and finally we've got him. And the fact that he's coming to us says a lot, as he had a lot of options."

Liam Millar's Birmingham City start gives Hull City much to think about

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After arriving at the MKM from Swiss Super League side, FC Basel, under Tim Walter, Millar penned a three-year contract with Hull, and there is still an option for said deal to be extended until 2028.

Sergej Jakirovic, of course, was heavily backed by Acun Ilicali to add the likes of Mohamed Ali-Cho, Sorba Thomas, Elliot Stroud and Joe Gelhardt - ahead of Birmingham - to his squad, which then paved the way for the Canadian's temporary exit.

Whilst the Premier League newcomers will have a main focus on their own impressive start to the season, Millar's own performances in the Championship haven't gone unnoticed by fans, especially with there being a mixed reaction to the loan agreement to begin with.

However, one indication of where the winger's future lies may have already been given, as in a recent interview, the loanee stated: "I really just wanted to be wanted and I wanted to be appreciated," when asked about Davies' comments.

If his performance levels remain consistent, it will feel a no-brainer for Birmingham to strike a permanent deal, although if the recent transfer window is anything to go by, Millar will certainly not be short of suitors.