Chris Davies press conference: Peterborough prediction, Chang wish & what isn’t necessary

Birmingham City manager Chris Davies on the touchline
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Chris Davies reckons Peterborough United will pose Birmingham City their toughest test of the season.

Whilst that is normal manager pre-match press conference speak, Davies clearly means it. The Posh have lost out in the League One play-offs in each of the last two seasons and are widely expected to challenge again under Darren Ferguson.

In Kwame Poku they have one of the league’s most exciting players and are well known for plucking gems and making millions. But they have spent some of their dough this season – only Blues splashed out more than Posh in League One during the summer transfer window.

Despite making an inconsistent start to the season, Davies believes Peterborough have the tools to hurt Blues.

READ: Davies details Birmingham City injury blow as two players close on comebacks

READ: Brady outlines his ‘biggest contribution’ to Blues after McElhenney's advice

In his analysis of this Saturday’s opponents (3pm kick-off), the Blues manager said: “They are the best team that we’ve faced, that’s what my analysis suggests to me. I think it’s going to be our biggest challenge of the season. Obviously the next match is always the biggest challenge but they are the best team we’ve faced.

“They have good quality players, a good way of playing, and if you’re not concentrating and ready then they can cause you a problem with the ball. They’re a young team, but a good team.”

Only Blues and Crawley Town are averaging more possession than Posh in League One, and Ferguson’s side have proved it’s possession with a purpose by scoring 12 goals – one shy of Blues.

Davies added: “I don’t see them changing too much for us, they will do what they do. They have been in the play-offs the last two seasons and are one of the better teams in the division, and they will be up there again this season from what I’ve seen.”

Blues will be boosted by the return of captain Krystian Bielik after he served a one-game suspension. Bielik is likely to reclaim the armband from Christoph Klarer and take Ben Davies’ place in the team.

Klarer was an interesting choice to deputise as captain in Bielik’s absence at Rotherham. Davies informed him well in advance but could be seen giving the Austrian a pep talk on the pitch pre-match.

Klarer joins a group of players who have led Blues when Bielik hasn’t been on the pitch this season. Davies has stacked his squad with leaders – but he hasn’t followed the mould of many clubs by appointing a leadership group.

“I’ve decided just to go for a captain, which is Krystian Bielik,” he explained. “We have senior figures like Lukas Jutkiewicz who is naturally seen as a leader around the place, Alfie May has been a captain at one point, Paik has had the armband and obviously Chris Klarer.

“From my point of view, I sometimes feel like the leadership groups aren’t necessary. Just having a captain and making sure everyone has a collective responsibility is a better way to go and that’s what I’ve done so far.”

Like everyone associated with the club, Davies was delighted to see Alfie Chang take another positive step in his recovery from a long-term knee injury by returning to light training with the first team earlier this week.

Chang, 22, has missed 13 months of action and will be eased back in before a decision is made in January over where he spends the second half of the season. Chang wasn’t included in Blues’ EFL squad list so he won't be eligible for League One matches until January.

Davies commented: “Every morning I come in he’s the first player in. He’s in the gym and has worked extremely hard in his rehab. He’s one of those players you just will and wish they get back to full fitness and start to flourish because he’s got a brilliant attitude.

“I haven’t seen a lot of him as a player yet because he hasn’t been training with us but just to get him back involved in a warm up is a big step for Alfie. Day by day, week by week, hopefully he can grow in strength and recover properly.”

Do you think Chang has a part to play this season? Have your say in the comments HERE