Birmingham City

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Birmingham City winger Liam Millar says his excellent form is down to finding the "perfect" set up at Blues where he gets the "freedom to be me".

The Canada forward has scored four goals for Chris Davies' in-form side in his past four appearances, either side of the recent international break.

He scored in the 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, put Blues on their way to a 4-0 win over Preston a week ago and grabbed two in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Added to that were three assists earlier in September, to bring the 27-year-old's direct goal involvements to seven in his past seven matches.

Millar, who is with Blues for the rest of the season on loan from Premier League Hull City, told BBC Radio WM he has never felt more at home than at St. Andrew's.

"It's just the fact I can really express myself and be myself," he said.

"The gaffer gives me a lot of freedom to be me and I've never really had that in my career before where I've been able to really be able to express myself as much as I'm doing right now."

Millar also highlighted Blues development under Davies this season, including bringing more dimensions to their high-press style.

"A lot of it's down to the way that we play," he said.

"We play very good football and we have a good mix of going long and with the ball we're unpredictable.

"It's just all a perfect piece at the minute."

With Birmingham currently fourth in the Championship, three points behind leaders Swansea City, Millar is eyeing a second successive promotion, having won the play-off final with the Tigers last season.

He added he can see traits of that campaign brewing in his current dressing room.

"I see a lot of similarities between our team last year at Hull and this Birmingham team now," he said.

"Honestly, I feel really good about what's happening here so far.

"I'm just going to keep doing everything I can, and I'm sure the lads will do everything they can, to make sure that we get over the line this season and do what we all think we can do."

Kym Smith
Fan writer

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Three games in a week, nine points, three clean sheets - this is not typical Blues.

Being a football fan is an odd thing; when things are going well, you move away from your usual state of depression into worrying about when the bubble is going to burst.

I will therefore put my natural pessimism aside and try to enjoy our purple patch.

Liam Millar has now clocked up seven goal involvements in seven games and I am hoping there is an option to get him on a permanent basis like we did with Patrick Roberts last season. His contributions on Saturday were one of the highlights of an excellent team performance.

To be honest, I had been eyeing this game as a tough one compared to Tuesday night's against Preston, as it was fourth v fifth and we were level on points with QPR.

As it was, their attacking outlets found themselves limited; Paul Smyth was muscled out of the game by Bright Osayi-Samuel, and the Christoph Klarer-Phil Neumann brick wall was very effective in limiting Kwame Poku and Rayan Kolli.

I also need to give a couple of other shout-outs to members of the team, first to Tomoki Iwata. He has been the subject of grumbling from some Blues fans, but set up both of Millar's goals and is playing some really good football at the moment.

Secondly, to Jay Stansfield. He is instrumental in the way Blues play the press, forcing opposition players into mistakes, such as the one that led to our first goal on Saturday.

Demarai Gray's stoppage-time goal was a thing of beauty, and the icing on the cake for this week. Right now, Blues are operating really well.

Players like Millar are being allowed to play with freedom and we seem to have taken a big step away from the 'possession but no outlet' football of last season that many fans were frustrated by.

Chris Davies did say he had learnt some lessons and so far, he is doing well putting them into practice. It is a thumbs-up from me.

Hear and read more from Kym Smith on Birmingham Hospital Radio, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's 3-0 win for Birmingham City over fellow fast-starters QPR.

Here are some of your comments:

Birmingham fans

Matt: We are absolutely flying! I doubted Chris Davies a few times, but right now he is working miracles! He really has this team ticking and I'm so pleased for him! Keep it up Blues!

George: Top, top, top performance from Blues. It's the best I've seen them play since we were in the Premier League.

Martin: Very impressive - Rangers very drilled, organised but no match for Millar's individual brilliance.

David: What a job Davies is doing, we look a completely different team from last season.

David Y: Outstanding performance. Keep this up and we will get automatic promotion.

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QPR fans

Ken: I do not understand why Paul Smyth is played on the left side when he performs so much better and is always a threat and gives us so much on the right. Stupid, I think. This happened many years ago with Jamie Mackie. Wrecked him. Probably end mid-table again when our squad of players are so much better then that. Stephan baffles me.

Colin: Rangers started the brighter of the two teams and if Boy Kemper had taken his chance after 10 minutes it might been a very different result. Birmingham took their chances and Rangers, while they played well, did not. Hopefully some of the injured players will be back next week for our home game against Swansea.

Gary: Stephan just got it so wrong! Kolli up front on his own. Smyth looked totally wiped, Kone is so unfit, formation wrong, narrow formation for a wide pitch, so we looked stretched… Should have played 5-3-2. Oh well… BCFC played well and look good!

Jim: Absolutely no consistency... much too early to sit on their laurels.

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Adam Cottier
BBC Radio 5 Live

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It is too early to call Birmingham City genuine promotion contenders, of course, but their early-season displays are giving cause for optimism and you can feel it inside St Andrew's.

This is a Birmingham side with something different to last season - they attack with more aggression and defend with authority. Saturday's victory over QPR had all that and more as they swatted aside a very capable team.

It looks as if Chris Davies took a deep dive in to ways he could improve his team in the summer and was prepared to adapt a more conservative style into something more exciting - and with pretty much the same players. It should win them a lot of games in this campaign.

August Priske is a real presence up front, other players look sharper and Liam Millar has added a lot.

The winger provides a significant route to goal, an outlet capable of spearheading Birmingham's approach of getting the ball up the pitch fast.

And a settled back line and goalkeeper - so solid and organised on Saturday - appears to aid Birmingham's cause. It was a well-earned clean sheet.

The goalkeeper, James Beadle, made three really good saves. He is maturing as arguably the best young English goalkeeper outside of the Premier League.

There are many encouraging things about Birmingham and the way they are evolving under their head coach, who has often divided opinion.

Sam Fletcher
Final Score at St Andrew's

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Something has really clicked for Birmingham City. Against a decent QPR, they made it look easy.

There is praise for players across the pitch, who as a team looked stylish and confident, linking up smoothly throughout their 3-0 win at St Andrew's.

Jay Stansfield has settled into a different role, as a 10, this season. He's only appeared on the scoresheet once, with just one assist.

But these numbers don't reflect the impact he's having on the pitch and the involvement in many of the goals - he seems to often be the assist before the assist.

Stansfield is like the creative director of the team, with so much coming through him in the middle.

Known previously as an out-and-out goalscorer, it's very interesting to see him making the most of a more supportive role.

Birmingham City boss Chris Davies hailed a "great week" for his in-form side after they secured their third straight Championship win.

The Blues impressed as they beat QPR 3-0 to maintain their strong start to the season, which sees them sitting fourth in the table.

Davies told BBC Radio WM: "I said to the players before the game: 'It's been a good week and good teams would be happy with that, but we want to make it a great week'.

"That's what we focused on and I thought there was a real intensity about us today.

"I knew it would be a tough game. QPR, they came with a plan, but the way we started and finished we just had too much for them and I was really pleased with the performance.

"We played some good football today. What I didn't want to do is go up in the lead and almost panic and be scared by that. I thought we showed a much better development in our game than, for example, the Middlesbrough game."

Birmingham City take a four-game unbeaten run into their home meeting with QPR on Saturday (15:00 BST).

QPR ended a streak of four successive draws when beating Derby County 4-1 on Wednesday.

• Birmingham have not conceded in any of their past three home league games against QPR (W2 D1) since a 2-1 defeat in January 2022.

• After losing this fixture 1-0 last season, QPR are hoping to avoid losing back-to-back league visits to Birmingham for the first time since October 2008.

• With 17 points through their opening 10 Championship matches this season (W4 D5 L1), Birmingham have made their best start at this level since 2016-17.

• Each of QPR's past three away league games have finished in stalemate; they have not drawn four successive league fixtures on their travels since November 2010.

• This season in the Championship, QPR have conceded just one goal from set pieces (including penalties) – the joint-fewest in the competition, alongside Sheffield United. They also remain one of five teams in the second tier yet to concede from a corner.

Kym Smith
Fan writer

Ahead of the game against Preston, Blues were unbeaten at home, but also winless at home.

Strangely for us, we have been better away so far, so it was high time we got three points at St Andrew's.

Although buoyed up by the victory at West Brom, as a typical Blues fan I was slightly concerned about us playing the team at the bottom of the league.

Past history shows that we're good at giving struggling teams a leg up to better form.

I hesitate to use the "banana skin" cliche, but we needed to put on a proper performance.

And it was a performance; it was one of those games when it's difficult to pick out just one standout player, because so many of the team played well.

August Priske is improving game by game and Jay Stansfield is instrumental to the way Blues play their pressing game.

Liam Millar now has five goal involvements in six games, which is impressive.

Alex Cochrane's quick thinking and accuracy provided the second goal, and it was great to see Demarai Gray on the scoresheet.

Once again, Christoph Klarer and Phil Neumann were solid.

We've been waiting to see Blues produce a dominant display for a while and this is exactly what was served up.

Preston were low in confidence and we preyed upon that; as well as getting more resilient, we need to be more ruthless.

As we put the game to bed early, Chris Davies was able to use this game as a opportunity to give returning players some minutes; you don't get that luxury when you're trying to hang on for a result. It was also good to get our third clean sheet of the season.

This win puts us up to fourth in the table, but I doubt Saturday will be anywhere near as easy as the next visitors are QPR, who are just one place behind us.

They chalked up a comprehensive victory over Derby County on Wednesday night, so we need to stay in that winning headspace.

Hear and read more from Kym Smith on Birmingham Hospital Radio, external

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Ged Scott
BBC Sport England

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Birmingham City boss Chris Davies his warned his players they must not expect anything to be handed to them as they bid to solve their winless home run against Preston North End on Tuesday.

Blues have drawn all four of their Championship games at St Andrew's - three of them 2-2 - in a testing home start to the campaign, in which they have hosted Bristol City, Southampton, Wolves and Middlesbrough.

Now they take on bottom club Preston, under new management in former North End favourite Graham Alexander, whose side lost 1-0 at Deepdale against Millwall on Saturday in his first game in charge.

But, with a view also to Saturday's visit of Queens Park Rangers, Davies is determined to keep his side's feet on the floor despite the boost of their third away win of the season at The Hawthorns against local rivals West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.

"The expectation can go up," he told BBC Radio WM. "And I've said to the players that just because we now have two home games against Preston and QPR doesn't mean anything.

"We've got to earn it if we're going to get something. We're really pleased with how we've been playing away. This is just the next game. And we've got to keep building."

Having used players including Demarai Gray, Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Max Bird off the bench at the weekend, he also says his squad's extra strength can now come in very handy against a North End side managed by Alexander - one of the most highly respected football bosses outside the Premier League.

"We're coming together at the right time," Davies said. "In a three-game week, you always need options - and that when they do come on, they can make an impact.

"We need a core group of players and some of them are coming back to fitness just at the right time.

"Keeping them engaged and hungry and feeling part of it when they're not starting is always a challenge for any manager."

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Image source, Opta

Birmingham City will hope to continue their climb up the Championship table when they welcome bottom side Preston North End to St Andrew's on Tuesday night.

Blues have won two of their past three games (D1), including a 1-0 win at West Brom in the West Midlands derby on Saturday, to move up to seventh.

The Lilywhites have won just once all season (D1 L7) and new boss Graham Alexander is seeking his first win after losing 1-0 to Millwall in his first game in charge at the weekend.

• Birmingham City have won each of their previous three league meetings with Preston, and could win four in a row for the very first time, with this their 101st clash.

• Preston have lost both of their past two league visits to Birmingham City, last losing more in a row in March 1970 (4).

• Birmingham have drawn all four of their Championship home games this season. The only sides to draw their first five at home in a season in the competition since it began in 2004 are both the Blues themselves in 2018-19 and Ipswich in 2018-19.

• Preston are without a clean sheet in 14 away league games for the first time since November 2012 (also 14). They last went 15+ without one on the road in March 2011 (26).

• Birmingham's Jay Stansfield has scored in three of his four league appearances against Preston, including two in two at home.

We asked for your thoughts after Birmingham City won 1-0 at West Bromwich Albion in the West Midlands derby on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

West Brom fans

Fred: A pretty even game over all but no arguments over the end result. Both sides showed intent and credit to Blues for being on it but despite some nice passages of play too many poor decisions in the final third by Albion who lacked the needed incisiveness and creativity.

We were also outmuscled too often with too many loose passes again as well. Stewart and Price have to start next game me.

Danny: They looked pretty toothless. So little by the way of shots. Need to get the ball into the danger areas much more quickly.

Baggieboy: As soon as Birmingham City scored, I stopped watching. The fact is we just can't score enough goals. I cannot believe Morrison left Molumby on the bench in a game like this. Is his inexperience showing?

Keith: A draw would have been a fairer result but Blues were obdurate and played their part in a decent game. In the end Albion couldn't make enough of their chances while Birmingham took theirs.

Baggie 1: It's not happening at the moment, we look naïve and disjointed in possession and clumsy out of it. In the first half every cross that came into our box looked like there could be a goal on the end of it.

Second half we could hardly create anything and I thought Brum were worthy of their win. We are a young side, it's going to take a bit more time and patience will be required. O'Leary outstanding again.

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Birmingham fans

Alan: That was a great performance from the Blues. Vicente played a great game with great defensive work. Priske work-rate was rewarded with a goal. Just need Stansfield to get the ball between the posts and we might be in with a chance come the end of the season.

Tony: Another excellent away performance. Klarer and Neumann in central defence go from strength to strength, and Stansfield outstanding, but he could really do with a goal.

Mike: It was an excellent game with both sides having good chances. I thought Blues were the better side and was an excellent advertisement for the Championship.

Ian: All round good away performance. Thought we controlled the game well in the second half. Cool penalty.

Darrol: I thought Birmingham City fully deserved their win. A great all-round performance. And excellent defending when needed.

Gary: Very impressed especially the first half, the speed of the passing and movement off the ball and decisive thinking. Very impressive.

Royal Blue: Congrats to Blues. Another good result in a promising season against a valiant WBA side who I hope gets back to winning ways shortly. For Blues the defence was solid, and it was another away performance where we took the game to the home side. Such a difference on last season.

Well done, Chris. Great to see Priske get his second goal of the season too. He can finish with 15+. All the best Baggies.

Birmingham City boss Chris Davies spoke to BBC WM following Saturday's 1-0 Championship win at West Bromwich Albion.

"We did well, it was a very good win and I liked the way we played the match," he said.

"We made a bright start and showed that intent that we have shown away from home with our set-pieces and our power.

"And when the game settled a little bit there was some good football in there, some control, some good moves and I liked the look of us.

"We fully deserved the win, and it could have had a couple more goals before we actually scored. But we deserved the lead and then from there I liked the way we finished the match."

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Birmingham City boss Chris Davies has used the extended international break as a "second pre-season" and has seen it really benefit his squad.

The three-week pause in the Championship campaign allowed Davies to work on how to hit the ground running after taking 11 points from their first eight games.

"I used it for the players as kind of a second pre-season really," Davies told BBC Radio WM.

"I think it was really important that we used it well. It wasn't just a 'nothing' waste of time. I really wanted to focus on our game, how we can improve and push them.

"And I think we've had a really good few weeks. I think we've got players fitter, sharper and more ready than they were before the break.

"So, I think overall, we come out of it in good shape."

Part of that preparation was a friendly against Premier League Coventry City at the CBS Arena - a game in which Jay Stansfield got back among the goals, having only scored once this season and three times in his last 40 appearances.

Davies hopes that will kick-start the former Fulham forward to go on a fruitful run.

"Jay got a couple of good goals. I play him as a sort of a 10, or a withdrawn striker, he wants to score goals and I think it'll do his confidence good," Davies added.

"There was some really encouraging parts of that game where other players that haven't played much got good minutes and made a good impact.

"It was a really good exercise. We tried to make the most of the game."

Blues now have seven games before the next international break in late November - starting with Saturday's derby against West Bromwich Albion (12:30 BST).

"We've got 11 points after eight games, which is exactly what we had this time last year," Davies said.

"We've corrected the away form, we've scored more goals, we need to keep more clean sheets but in terms of the style of the games coming up, we're going to have to be more the protagonist - take the game to the opposition more than we've done.

"There's a lot we can improve. I'm content with how we've looked, but I've been trying to focus in training, and that Coventry game, on the areas we can get better.

"These next seven games are important for our season. If we're going to really push on we need to make an impact."

Image source, Opta

West Bromwich Albion welcome Birmingham City for a West Midlands derby in the Championship on Saturday lunchtime (kick-off 12:30 BST).

It will be a second local derby in a row for the Baggies, who are hoping to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat at Wolves before the international break.

Blues have won just one of their past five games (D3 L1), but drew with promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough last time out, and will want to keep pace with the early frontrunners.

• West Bromwich Albion have won one of their past seven league games against Birmingham City (D2 L4), a 1-0 home win in February 2024.

• Since the start of the 2000-01 season, Birmingham City have two wins in their 13 away league matches against West Brom (D5 L6), winning 3-2 in both in 2005-06 and 2022-23.

• Since James Morrison's first league game in charge on February 28, West Brom are one of only two ever-present Championship teams without a home defeat (W4 D6), along with Southampton, with the Saints the only side with more home points (26) than the Baggies (18) in that time.

• Birmingham have drawn more Championship games than any other side this season (5) – it's the fourth time they've had this many draws after eight league games in a campaign, along with 1965-66 (5), 1980-81 (5) and 2018-19 (6).

• Liam Millar has been involved in four goals in his previous three Championship appearances for Birmingham (1 goal, 3 assists) – across their past three matches, the only Blues goal Millar hasn't either scored or assisted was a Riley McGree own goal in the 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.