Birmingham City boss Chris Davies questioned on 'mental' Phil Neumann exile - Blues man 'hasn't done much wrong' | OneFootball

FLW's Blues fan pundit is bewildered that Phil Neumann hasn't seen more of the pitch in his Birmingham City career so far

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

After starting from the off in Birmingham City's opening five Championship games, new centre-back arrival Phil Neumann hasn't seen the pitch in the subsequent five.

In that time, the Blues conceded nine goals, compared to the five with the German in the side.

Anticipation was rife ahead of the 28-year-old's arrival at St Andrew's, after it was confirmed in January that the defender was joining on a free transfer later that summer from German 2.Bundesliga outfit, Hannover 96.

He was one of the best in his position in the German second tier for the seven seasons he spent there playing for the likes of Schalke, Holstein Kiel, Ingolstadt and Hannover respectively.

However, that reputation hasn't translated into the Championship yet.

Football League World's Blues fan pundit, Jason Moore, doesn't think it's his fault, as he hasn't been given much of an opportunity to perform to the level expected of him.

With Jack Robinson once again serving a suspension, and Eiran Cashin underwhelming in his limited appearances, Chris Davies may have no choice but to play Neumann across the back line soon.

Moore feels that Neumann hasn't excelled so far in the Championship, but feels that he should have been allowed some grace period to settle into the new division.

Despite some "shaky" performances, he can't see how he's not playing more regularly as of late.

"The thing with Neumann is that he hasn't done too much wrong," he said. "He's looked a little shaky in some games, but I think that's just him adjusting to English football.

"He's come with a cracking reputation, so I don't get why he's not in the starting lineup. Chris Davies has this thing for a left-footed centre-back, and obviously, he doesn't have that with Neumann or Christoph Klarer, but they're professional footballers — who cares?

"If you want Klarer in, Neumann can play slightly to the left of the centre-back pairing. I find it absolutely mental because I don't think he's done a lot wrong to warrant being dropped."

Davies has opted with left-footed Robinson next to Klarer for the majority of the last month, and Cashin deputised against Sheffield Wednesday when the former Sheffield United defender was suspended after seeing red against Coventry City.

Now Robinson is suspended once more, Moore believes that Davies will have to play Neumann, after Cashin didn't impress during the 2-2 draw with the Owls at St Andrew's last month.

"He's (Davies) going to have his hand forced, I think, because Robinson is banned for four games and Cashin can't be anywhere near the starting lineup currently after his recent performances," he continued.

"Neumann has a few games now to show Davies that he should be playing, and a lot of Blues fans agree. Play him on the left, keep Klarer where he's comfortable; I think it works.

"It's ridiculous that he isn't playing, because he's such a big bloke who adds pace to the backline, and I feel there must be something going on behind the scenes at the moment, because I just don't understand why the bloke's not playing."

Phil Neumann will surely have a chance to impress Chris Davies over the next few games

After picking up his second red card of the campaign in the 3-2 defeat to Hull City last time out, Robinson will be banned for the next four games against Preston North End, Bristol City, Portsmouth and Millwall respectively.

With three of those sides currently sitting in the division's top eight, it'll be a tough period for Birmingham to be without the 32-year-old.

However, it opens the door for someone like Neumann to stake his claim for a regular spot in Chris Davies' side.

That is, if the Blues manager does opt for the German defender in the side ahead of Cashin, who, like Robinson, is a natural left-footer.

Regardless, Birmingham need a defensive boost after some concerning results as of late, including their first league defeat at home under Davies last time out against Hull City.

After conceding three times just twice in 46 League One games last season, they've already matched that in the opening 10 Championship games this term.