Blues have had 'great week' despite Boro loss - Doyle

Tommy Doyle (centre) started his career with Manchester City before joining Wolves in July 2024

Birmingham City midfielder Tommy Doyle says the club have still had a "great week" despite the disappointment of Saturday's defeat by high-flying Middlesbrough.

Blues had more possession, shots and shots on target than second-placed Boro but came away from the Riverside Stadium empty handed after losing 2-1.

Hayden Hackney's goal in first-half stoppage time, after Demarai Gray had cancelled out Dael Fry's 17th-minute opener for Boro, proved to be the winner as the home side shook off the disruption of the likely departure of manager Rob Edwards to Wolves.

The defeat was Birmingham's first in three games following back-to-back 4-0 home wins, and only their third in the last eight in the Championship.

"I think we were the better team," Doyle told BBC Radio WM. "Both of their goals were sloppy. The second half was all us.

"There were a lot of positives to to take. They're right up there in the league and I think we dominated the game.

"It was frustrating not to score any of our chances. In our previous two games, they go in."

Doyle is on loan at Blues from Wolves and has had to wait to force his way into Chris Davies' first-choice XI.

But Saturday was his fifth successive start and says he and the club head into the international break on a high.

"I feel good, fit and feel like I'm playing well," Doyle added.

"We've had some good results, which helps [but] even when I wasn't playing, I felt like I had the backing of the manager.

"I was in contact with him and he was telling me to stick with him and keep going.

"It's been a great week for us, it's obviously frustrating to end how it's ended but there are so many positives.

"We've got a bit of a break now and we'll be ready to go again."