New Birmingham City claim made after Sheffield United battering - "This is the thing" | OneFootball

FLW's Birmingham City fan pundit is confident that the Blues will ease some of the pressure on manager Chris Davies against Derby County.

It was another disappointing afternoon for Birmingham City as they were beaten 3-0 by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday, increasing the pressure on manager Chris Davies.

Birmingham have not won away from home since late October, and their troubles on the road continued as they were comprehensively beaten by a resurgent Sheffield United, with goals from Tyler Bindon, Gustavo Hamer and Patrick Bamford sealing a comfortable victory for the Blades.

The Blues have picked up just one point from their last four games, and they have now dropped down to 14th in the Championship table, six points from the play-off places.

With discontent among supporters growing after another away defeat, it seems Davies' position could soon be under threat, with Football Insider reporting over the weekend that the Birmingham hierarchy are drawing up a shortlist of possible replacements should they decide to make a managerial change.

The Blues are back in action when they host Derby County at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Boxing Day, and having picked up 21 of their 29 points on their own patch this season, Davies will be optimistic that his side can return to winning ways against John Eustace's men.

However, Birmingham will be without influential midfielder Tommy Doyle after his red card in the defeat against Sheffield United, while defender Alex Cochrane is also doubtful after missing the game at Bramall Lane due to injury, with Davies admitting he is unsure how long he will be sidelined for.

Birmingham City backed to beat Derby County and ease Chris Davies pressure

When asked if he is confident of a victory against Derby in the absence of Cochrane and Doyle, FLW's Birmingham City fan pundit Jason Moore revealed that he would back the Blues against any opponent at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, but he admitted that the poor away form does put extra pressure on home games.

"Because we're at home, I'm not concerned," Jason told FLW.

"I feel like we'll move Marc Leonard in there, we'll keep Tomoki Iwata at right-back, and we'll still be absolutely solid at home, as we are every time.

"They'll turn up at home and take a bit of pressure of Chris Davies, as they have all season, which still isn't good enough.

"I'm not particularly concerned about Derby, but I think Southampton at home could be a tough game.

"This is the thing with the away form being so poor, he can't afford to lose any home games now, he has to pick up three points.

"Alex Cochrane might be fit, but if he and Tommy Doyle are missing, it makes it slightly harder.

"I back us against anyone at home currently, it's just away from home that's the problem.

"I fancy us at home, it would be a bit easier if we had the pair of them, but we're decent at home.

"Having 28,000 fans behind them always helps."

John Eustace factor will worry Chris Davies as Birmingham City prepare for crunch Derby County clash

Birmingham have been incredibly strong at home this season, but with tough tests against Southampton and Coventry City to come at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park over the festive period, it does feel as though Davies cannot afford for his side to drop points against Derby.

After a five-game winning run, the Rams have won just two of their last seven matches, so the Blues will be confident of securing all three points on Boxing Day, but Eustace will be determined to prove a point on his return to the Midlands.

Eustace was controversially sacked by Birmingham in October 2023, despite his side sitting sixth in the Championship table at the time, and he would no doubt love to lead Derby to victory and pile more misery on his former employers.