Birmingham City boss Chris Davies says the key to his team’s League One promotion success came in changing the character of the club.
Davies, in his first season in management, clinched promotion with a 2-1 win at Peterborough United to take Blues back into the Championship at the first time of asking.
He said that the unity of his squad and the positive attitude had been vital – as they seek to make it a double when they face Posh again on Sunday in the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley.
“They’ve been amazing,” Davies told BBC Radio WM. “We’ve put a team together from scratch really.
“There were six or seven that stayed but there were 17 new players. They get on well, and they’ve got a great spirit, but we signed good characters.
“For too long this club had players that weren’t the right character, that let the club down, basically.
“Whether we win, lose or draw you’ll always see a team that’s fighting. That’s what the fans ultimately want for their club, and that’s what they’ve got.
“They’ve been exceptional because, don’t forget, every single game this season, home and away, they’ve been expected to win. No team in the land has had to dealt with that, and they’ve dealt with it brilliantly.
“I said to the players before the game, at the hotel, that there are ups and downs in football and you have to cherish the good times. It’s really about making memories and we had an opportunity to make a momentous occasion.”
Striker Alfie May, who scored the opening goal at London Road, tipped Davies, who joined the club last summer from a coaching role with Tottenham, to go to the top.
“He’s amazing,” said May. “The togetherness we have in the changing room all starts with the gaffer.
“When we train we’re there to work and the details in meetings and things like that, as a player you’re actually learning and understanding the game better.
“It’s his first year, his first (manager’s) job, and hopefully we can keep him because I’ll bet there’s a few teams sniffing now. He’s the boss, drives the camp forward and his mentality is to be successful.
“When you have got a manager like that who wants to drive us as players and go as far as he can, I think he’ll be managing in the Prem, hopefully with Birmingham, or in international football.”
Image source, Getty Images-
45 minutes ago
Birmingham City boss Chris Davies says the key to his team’s League One promotion success came in changing the character of the club.
Davies, in his first season in management, clinched promotion with a 2-1 win at Peterborough United to take Blues back into the Championship at the first time of asking.
He said that the unity of his squad and the positive attitude had been vital – as they seek to make it a double when they face Posh again on Sunday in the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley.
“They’ve been amazing,” Davies told BBC Radio WM. “We’ve put a team together from scratch really.
“There were six or seven that stayed but there were 17 new players. They get on well, and they’ve got a great spirit, but we signed good characters.
“For too long this club had players that weren’t the right character, that let the club down, basically.
“Whether we win, lose or draw you’ll always see a team that’s fighting. That’s what the fans ultimately want for their club, and that’s what they’ve got.
Image source, Rex Features“They’ve been exceptional because, don’t forget, every single game this season, home and away, they’ve been expected to win. No team in the land has had to dealt with that, and they’ve dealt with it brilliantly.
“I said to the players before the game, at the hotel, that there are ups and downs in football and you have to cherish the good times. It’s really about making memories and we had an opportunity to make a momentous occasion.”
Striker Alfie May, who scored the opening goal at London Road, tipped Davies, who joined the club last summer from a coaching role with Tottenham, to go to the top.
“He’s amazing,” said May. “The togetherness we have in the changing room all starts with the gaffer.
“When we train we’re there to work and the details in meetings and things like that, as a player you’re actually learning and understanding the game better.
“It’s his first year, his first (manager’s) job, and hopefully we can keep him because I’ll bet there’s a few teams sniffing now. He’s the boss, drives the camp forward and his mentality is to be successful.
“When you have got a manager like that who wants to drive us as players and go as far as he can, I think he’ll be managing in the Prem, hopefully with Birmingham, or in international football.”
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