Birmingham manager Chris Davies says his side are in a strong position to be promoted from League One after extending their lead at the top of the table to 12 points with a 1-0 win over second-placed Wycombe.
An impressive strike from Taylor Gardner-Hickman, after 21 minutes, proved to be enough to win the game against their nearest challengers, who were reduced to 10 men before half-time when midfielder Xavier Simons was shown a straight red by referee Ben Toner for a dangerous challenge on Birmingham full-back Ethan Laird.
The result extended Birmingham’s unbeaten league run to 18 games, and they are also 14 points ahead of Wrexham in third place.
Davies said: “We’ve put ourselves in a strong position from our point of view, and I’ve said to the players that it’s not a case of slowing down, it’s about speeding up now.
“I don’t want to change anything about what we do, we’ll push ourselves individually and as a team to improve, because we can still improve.
“Anyone would say this is an important win against a team who are also flying high. They’re having a great season. But we can win this and lose the next one, if that happens, you’ll wonder if this mattered. It was a big game, and we know what this result means, but for me, it’s all about keeping a level of consistency.”
Davies praised Gardner-Hickman’s volleyed strike after the player scored in successive games for his first Birmingham goals.
The Birmingham manager added: “His positioning was good, he was disciplined, he made his decision and executed it. Then it was all about technique, taking the ball on the chest, controlling it and then volleying it. The quality was too much for the goalkeeper.
“We’re dangerous when we’ve got the ball, but we can also play it over and that makes if difficult for teams to know how to play against us.
“I’ve worked with top keepers at Premier League level, and Ryan Allsop’s up there, he does have that real quality to pick someone out and make those decisions. Ryan had to be really dominant in goal, and with his feet, he’s exceptional.”
Wycombe manager Mike Dodds were more concerned with the manner of the goal his side conceded than he was with Simons’ sending off in first-half stoppage time.
He said: “From my point of view, I’ve had five games now and we’ve been really solid in all the games, and it boils my blood, I’ll be honest with you, when we concede goals that are so simple like that.
“When you do all your work in the week to be really organised and diligent and you concede such an easy goal. So I’m frustrated, it’s really poor from my perspective.
“We try to nullify their threats, to sum it up; it’s not something either me, nor this football club, should be associated with.
“I don’t want to say it’ll never happen again, but we’re all aware that it’s nowhere near good enough.
“The red card changed the whole complexity of the game, we had to shuffle the pack and change our game plan, but I thought our second-half display was really good. I showed me that we have more than enough and we’ll be fine this season.
“Had it not been for the red card, would the game have been different? Maybe. But, the type of person I am, I don’t dwell on the past.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. 23 years ago, Ronaldinho fooled everyone with 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 free-kick against England and a star was born If Nico Williams moves to BarcaTrent Pep Guardiola knows how to TURN ON the Cyborg! AN INSPIRATION TO THE WORLD! Fabrizio Romano shares his new Lamine Yamal bed on Facebook.This is so funny Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credi...
Andre Onana is keen to stay at Manchester United despite interest from Monaco, sources have told ESPN.The French side asked for information from Onana's representatives about his potential availability this summer.Monaco also showed interest in former United goalkeeper David De Gea before he extended his contract with Fiorentina.Onana, however, is determined to stay at Old Trafford unless he is to...
Liverpool could still enter the market in one of their biggest-spending windows.Liverpool are reportedly set to launch crunch talks with Crystal Palace over England defender Marc Guehi. The Reds are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old and could make him their latest big-money signing.Palace are said to value Guehi at around £70million despite only one year remaining on the former Chelsea st...
Liverpool confirmed the signing of Germany international Florian Wirtz on Friday evening.Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken about the signing of Florian WirtzJurgen Klopp has expressed his admiration for Liverpool's acquisition of German international Florian Wirtz. The former Reds manager, who departed in 2024 and now serves as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer, maintains close ties ...
Chelsea no longer interested in MaignanPer Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are no longer interested in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. They have not reactivated talks with the player and reportedly do not intend to do it later in the transfer window as they have confidence in their current crop of custodians at Stamford Bridge.Van Nistelrooy set to be sacked by Leicester after relegationLeicester City ...
Juventus, Napoli in contact with Chelsea striker JacksonSerie A clubs are interested in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.Jackson's future at Chelsea is in doubt after he suffered another red card in yesterday's Club World Cup defeat to Flamengo.Sky Italia's0Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Juventus and Napoli are interested in Jackson.Juventus have0 already made contact with the player's management ...
Bayern Munich rival Chelsea for Borussia Dortmund winger GittensBayern Munich are interested in Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.Gittens saw a move to Chelsea fall through last week after Dortmund rejected their 342m offer on Tuesday's Club World Cup transfer deadline.Kicker reports that Bayern are planning a move to sign Gittens during this window.Bayern sporting director Max Eberl has left...
Frimpong reacts as Wirtz joins Liverpool in 3116m moveJeremie Frimpong has responded to Florian Wirtz’s move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, following in his footsteps.Just weeks after the Dutchman made the switch from the Bundesliga side to the Reds, Wirtz followed in a blockbuster 3116 million ($156m) move.0Shortly after the transfer was confirmed, Frimpong responded with the eyes emoj...
Rashford keen on joining Yamal’s BarcelonaManchester United star Marcus Rashford has expressed a desire to play alongside Lamine Yamal, seemingly sending a message to Barcelona to make a move.The England international has reportedly had his sights set on a Blaugrana transfer for a while. Now, the former Aston Villa loanee has arguably dropped a not-so-subtle hint that he’s eager to joi...
Quilindschy Hartman will join Burnley as soon as next weekFeyenoord have reportedly accepted a bid from Burnley for left-back Quilindschy Hartman.As Burnley were preparing an offer for the 23-year-old Hartman, the left-back was reported to have visited Burnley's training ground and met manager Scott Parker before the weekend.According to Dutch media, Feyenoord have accepted a €12 million bid...
- 1 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 2 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 3 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 6 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 7 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 8 Real Madrid eye a trio of targets
- 9 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN
- 10 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025