Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has delivered a frank assessment of his team's performance after a damaging 3-0 defeat to Watford on New Year's Day, a result that prompted vocal frustration from travelling supporters and a post-match exchange involving striker Marvin Ducksch.
A Disappointing Display at Vicarage Road
The match at Vicarage Road saw Tom Ince score a hat-trick, condemning Blues to their ninth away defeat in just 13 matches on the road this season. Davies did not mince his words in his post-match analysis, stating his team fell well below the required standard.
"I’m extremely disappointed," Davies said. "They're really soft goals that we've conceded. We put ourselves in a really difficult position against a good team away from home. It was clear to me that we were nowhere near the level required to win a match."
He emphasised that the performance was "well short of the level you expect from a Birmingham City team" and a side he selected.
Fan Frustration and Style of Play Debate
The discontent among the away support was audible during the game, with chants of 'sideways and backwards, everywhere we go' aimed at the perceived cautious style of play. Davies claimed he did not hear the specific chants but defended his footballing philosophy.
"We’re a team that tries to be aggressive, tries to press the opposition and keep the ball close to their goal," he explained. "We’re not a team that passes the ball around at the back going nowhere. I don’t think we’ve ever been that since I’ve been here."
Instead, the manager pinpointed the speed of play as the critical issue. "Today wasn’t quick enough, that was the problem. We were too slow... It was a speed of play issue, and something we need to improve."
Post-Match Tensions and Call for Togetherness
The frustrations threatened to spill over at full-time as players approached the away end. Substitute Marvin Ducksch was involved in a verbal exchange with a supporter before being led away by teammates.
Davies acknowledged the fans' right to voice their anger, given the team's poor away form. "The supporters are entitled to voice their frustrations, absolutely," he said. "They pay their money and travel a long way to watch this club and our away performances have just not been good enough."
While not aware of the specifics of the Ducksch incident, Davies stressed the importance of unity. "In any football club, togetherness is a very important thing... I don’t think we’ve lost it, but it’s been challenged by the run we’re having."
He concluded by reaffirming the players' duty to the club and its supporters, describing the fanbase as "amazing" and reiterating the need for a team that fights for the badge.
