Birmingham City’s key addition for Chris Davies causes a stir online | OneFootball

Blues have confirmed the addition of Scott Fry as set-piece coach

Birmingham City's preparations for the 2026/27 Championship season are now well underway, with the likely ambition for Chris Davies being that his side are able to compete for a place in the play-offs.

The new season will be Blues' second successive term back in the Championship after a solitary campaign in League One, with Knighthead Capital Management also hoping to see their short-term hopes realised in the near future.

2025/26 was a mixed campaign for the West Midlands outfit, as more often than not, a 10th-placed finish in the Championship for a newly-promoted side, as well as it being the club's highest finish in a decade, would be deemed successful.

However, given the two high-profile squad reshuffles which were overseen by Davies and the hierarchy, it was met with a tinge of frustration.

As such, the pressure will certainly be on the 41-year-old to deliver after being the subject of sack calls and reports at periods of last season, despite retaining the backing of Tom Wagner.

It had been relatively quiet on the transfer front in B9 until the end of last week, when the free transfer of former Middlesbrough captain, Dael Fry, was announced, with the centre-back penning a three-year deal.

However, another addition with the same surname has caused much more of a mixed reaction on social media.

Birmingham City confirm appointment of Scott Fry as set-piece coach

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Indeed, while Birmingham are yet to announce a replacement for Craig Gardner in the director of football role, they have now added Scott Fry to Davies' backroom team as the club's maiden set-piece coach.

The 33-year-old joins from Rangers, who he moved to in a similar role last November following the appointment of Danny Rohl, who has since been replaced at Ibrox by Derek McInnes.

During his brief spell, the Light Blues netted more set-piece goals than any other Scottish Premiership side, while in his prior stint with Lincoln City, set-plays were a major aspect of the Imps' overall success, which saw them score 30 times from such situations in the 2024/25 League One season.

Reacting to the appointment, Davies told Blues' official media: “Scott’s success has been built on his ability to think differently and to convey his ideas to the players in a clear way.

“This is an important addition to the team and one that we believe will make us improve and be even more competitive.”

Birmingham City fans react as Scott Fry appointed as set-piece coach

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Last season, Blues scored a total of 57 Championship goals, with 16 of those coming from set-pieces, which was the eighth-highest total in the division.

The man who is said to have been influential in the creation of the role Fry will deploy in B9 is Gianni Vio, who, ironically is currently part of the set-up at divisional rivals, Watford.

Naturally, though, there have been mixed reactions to such an addition, after it was first reported in February that Birmingham were looking for a figure to oversee such matters.

Some fans are clearly pleased with the appointment, with one saying: "Tears in my eyes what a beautiful sight. Welcome to the project Scott."

Another Bluenose responded: "Seems like a solid appointment. Hopefully he can work some magic for us."

And, even though Blues would like to move on from their season-long spell in League One, one supporter clearly remembers how effective Lincoln were two years ago, adding: "Did a fantastic job at Lincoln. Superb appointment."

However, not all seemed overly convinced, with one response reading: "Will he stand on the touchline barking instructions when we get a throw just past the halfway line?"

And, even though Rangers clearly benefited from Fry's nous, one Light Blues supporter reacted with: "Here comes long throws and short corners," followed by a succession of laughing emojis, potentially trying to 'warn' those in the Second City.

Ultimately, though, this is an appointment that will only be deemed as a successful or unsuccessful decision the longer the season goes on, but with there being plenty of height in Davies' ranks, it could be the difference between a top-eight finish and potentially another year in the Championship for Blues.