Birmingham 'not far away', says Davies

Chris Davies has led his side to 15 points from their opening 12 games since promotion to the Championship

Birmingham City manager Chris Davies says his side are "not far away" as they prepare to welcome Portsmouth this weekend.

Promoted from League One in April, the Blues are lying 15th in the Championship after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Bristol City made it one win in six games.

Davies told BBC Radio WM: "Even like the Bristol [City] game, I look at it and think we're not a team that you wonder 'How are they going to win a game?'. We just need to create more chances.

"There was a lot of good things in there in terms of limiting a good side to very few chances against us, having a certain element of control. But we did lack that penetration, that punch in the final third.

"We have had games like that, where we need to be more dangerous in that situation, the combination of the speed of our play, the intent, and the number of runners and bodies in the box that we wanted and need to create more chances - so we've reflected on that."

'An important week'

Saturday's visit of Portsmouth is the first of two homes game in four days, and Davies accepts it is an opportunity to pick up points.

"Yes, it's an important week for our season," he said.

"We've had a difficult run. We've hung in there. I think the Preston game was a big one to win, and win away from home.

"We've proved we can win at home, away, clean sheets, score goals, set-pieces - we've had it all, but it's (about) putting it all together a bit more consistently.

"These next four matches, three are at home, we've got an opportunity to climb the table.

"We're all desperate for more wins, that's obvious, but as I've said to the players: it's very important we focus on our performance.

"We can't just say we want to win, we've got to play as well as we can, and they'll eventually come more consistently.

"It's two home games we feel we've got a good chance in. We've got to try and take maximum points if we can."

Portsmouth came up as champions the season before Birmingham, and finished 16th in 2024-2025.

The are currently two points and three places below the Blues, but Davies has huge respect for Pompey boss John Mousinho.

"He's done a very good job over the time that he's been there," said Davies.

"They're very competitive, got an English core of players, but with a lot of games and experience in there. They'll make it difficult; they can play, too.

"They're a good team. We're not going to have it our own way this weekend, we're going to have to earn everything."