Chris Davies Maintains Caution as Birmingham City Prepare for Millwall Test
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has expressed a measured outlook despite his team's recent transformation in away form, as they gear up to face Millwall at The Den this evening in a pivotal Championship fixture kicking off at 7:45pm.
Away Form Revival Sparks Optimism
With three consecutive away victories in the Championship, Birmingham City have seemingly turned a corner after a dismal start to the season on the road. Prior to Christmas, the team struggled immensely away from home, even languishing below already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday in the away league standings at one point.
This recent surge marks the first time since 2015 that Blues have secured three straight away wins in the Championship, elevating their record to a respectable level. This improvement is particularly crucial as their home performances have been exceptional, creating a balanced foundation for their campaign.
Davies Downplays Narrative Shift
When asked if Birmingham have definitively solved their away woes, Davies responded emphatically, "God no." He elaborated, "No, but it's really pleasing that we've improved our away form because that was the question. I say question but it was more a narrative that was building, I wasn't too concerned about it but I knew it would keep building."
Davies highlighted the importance of addressing this narrative, noting that a victory over Norwich City was a significant milestone. "It was important to put that to bed and I think we did that a few weeks ago, but beating Norwich was a big one. Norwich have been flying. They've been in really good form and were a completely different animal to the Norwich we faced when we played them at our place."
Millwall Presents a Formidable Challenge
However, the upcoming match against Millwall presents a starkly different challenge. Unlike Norwich, who have struggled at home, Millwall boasts the seventh-best home record in the Championship with nine wins in 17 games at The Den, a venue known for its intimidating atmosphere that often unsettles visiting teams.
Under manager Alex Neil, Millwall has cultivated a gritty and determined side that reflects the club's identity, consistently fighting for every point. Currently sitting third in the Championship, they are six points behind the automatic promotion spots but only seven points ahead of seventh-placed Birmingham City.
Previous Encounter Adds Intrigue
The two teams last met in November at St Andrew's, where Birmingham secured a commanding 4-0 victory that arguably flattered Millwall. At the time, Millwall was hampered by injuries, and they will be eager to avenge that defeat on their home turf.
Birmingham City, bolstered by six new signings in the January transfer window, now enter this match as the Championship's form team, having shed their reputation as a soft touch on the road. This sets the stage for a highly competitive and strategic battle as both sides vie for crucial points in the promotion race.
