Birmingham City fans react to Chris Davies interview following Bristol City defeat - They aren't pleased | OneFootball

Birmingham City fans are not pleased with their side following defeat to Bristol City on Saturday.

Bristol City's Sinclair Armstrong netted his first goal in nearly a year as the Robins ran out as 1-0 winners at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon against Birmingham City, and Blues fans have taken to social media following manager Chris Davies' post-match interview.

It has been a tricky return to life in the Championship for Birmingham City.

Having broken the EFL points record last season in League One, amassing 111 points in the third tier and romping to the league title, many were tipping the Blues to be in and amongst the play-off picture following their promotion.

However, it hasn't quite transpired that way so far, as their 1-0 defeat at the weekend at the hands of Bristol City sees them sit 15th in the Championship table, with four wins, three draws, and five losses after twelve matches, resulting in a negative goal difference of four.

Following the defeat to Bristol City, Davies' post-match interview was uploaded to X, and Blues fans were quick to take to the replies to state their displeasure with their side's performance and result.

Birmingham City fans react to Chris Davies' interview following Bristol City defeat

Blues manager Davies has come under fire from the club's supporters following his post-match interview on Saturday, in which he cited the main reason behind his team's defeat as being that they were not quick or forward enough.

According to FotMob, Birmingham controlled the match in terms of possession, finishing the game with 72% possession of the ball. Yet despite their dominance of this area, they created few opportunities with it, with just one shot on target and an expected goal return of 0.69.

Bristol City had even fewer opportunities than Birmingham, with an expected goal return of just 0.27, with one shot on target, which Sinclair Armstrong would convert for his first goal in 11 months, compiling misery on the travelling supporters.

In the wake of their defeat, fans took to X to voice their displeasure.

"75 per cent possession mentioned in the first sentence. Warra win for Birmingham City Football Club," wrote one angry Blues supporter.

Davies was quick to point out his side's dominance in terms of possession, yet having the majority of the ball means nothing if you are unable to create, convert and win football matches, which is what this Birmingham fan has stated.

"It's almost as if you have told us to pass sideways all season. Maybe that's why we don't pass forward enough," said another.

Birmingham scored the most and conceded the least on their way to the League One title last season, yet this season they are among the lowest scorers in the division so far, with only four sides having scored fewer than their 11.

This Blues fan has criticised Davies' tactics of seemingly preferring to pass sideways rather than forwards, a stark contrast from just six months ago.

"We constantly over-pass it in the middle. Try encouraging forward passing! The players look too afraid to take a risk!," commented another disappointed Blues fan.

No Birmingham player has recorded more than one assist in the league so far this season, highlighting a clear lack of creation from anywhere on the pitch, and something Davies must fix soon if his side is to be more proficient in front of goal.

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"We had 28 crosses into the box, mostly decent. Just a thought here Chris, if you are going to play that style at least start a target man, not someone that's 5ft nothing & loves it to feet. That 28 crosses says we got forward enough, just wrong players on the pitch to suit the tactic," summarised another dismayed Birmingham fan.

"Possession football still for some reason remains the fashion. But look at the teams who play high possession football - Southampton, Birmingham, Norwich - all really struggle a lot of the time. It might look pretty but it doesn’t get you goals," commented another.

Despite having scored just 11 goals in 12 Championship matches this season, according to FotMob, Birmingham have created the sixth-most big chances in the league this season with 26.

Furthermore, their expected goals of 16 put them as one of the biggest underperformers in the division in relation to their actual goals scored.

The summer attacking signings of Kyogo Furuhashi, Marvin Ducksch, Patrick Roberts, Demarai Gray, and Lewis Koumas have all yet to pay off, with their top two goalscorers, Jay Stansfield and Lyndon Dykes, having been with the club in the third tier last season.

Davies must find a way to get the best out of his new attacking options; otherwise, they risk continuing to struggle to hit the back of the net and therefore are much less likely to climb towards the desired play-off places and be cut adrift.