“Not good enough” – Chris Davies vents frustration following Birmingham City 2-1 defeat

Chris Davies was speaking after his Birmingham City side suffered a narrow defeat to Ipswich Town, but the Blues boss was left incensed by a controversial officiating decision that he believes denied his team a deserved point.

Birmingham went toe-to-toe with promotion-chasing Ipswich at Portman Road, with Ben Johnson and Kasey McAteer cancelling out Carlos Vicente’s opener in a tightly contested encounter.

The visitors thought they had clawed their way back again in the second half when substitute Ibrahim Osman’s delivery deflected in off Dara O’Shea, appearing to level the score.

However, the assistant referee on the far side immediately signalled that the ball had gone out of play, prompting referee Adam Herczeg to award a goal-kick instead. The decision sparked furious reactions from Osman and his teammates, with Davies equally animated on the touchline before voicing his anger after the final whistle.

Davies insisted his side had earned at least a point from the performance and admitted he had rarely felt such frustration over an officiating call. He questioned how the assistant, positioned some distance away, could be so certain the ball had gone out, especially when the players closest to the incident reacted as though it remained in play.

The Birmingham manager revealed he confronted the official post-match, only to be told the decision was made with certainty something Davies strongly disputes and believes will be proven incorrect upon review.

He also pointed to the wider implications of such moments, stressing that decisions of that nature can have a significant impact in a league where the stakes at the top are so high.

Despite recent pressure following defeats to Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, there were positives for Davies to take. Birmingham’s travelling supporters showed their appreciation at full-time, acknowledging what he described as a far more committed and cohesive display.

Davies highlighted the team’s intensity and collective effort, noting that they caused Ipswich problems throughout. However, he also admitted that lapses in key defensive moments proved costly, turning a 1-0 advantage into a 2-1 deficit before the break something he made clear was unacceptable.

He suggested that recent internal discussions and reflection within the squad have begun to foster a stronger sense of unity and identity. According to Davies, the performance reflected a side starting to come together, in contrast to previous outings where they appeared disjointed.

He emphasised that facing one of the strongest teams in the division and competing at that level should serve as encouragement moving forward, particularly as the squad continues to build chemistry.

Nevertheless, Birmingham’s recent record six defeats in eight matches — underlines the urgency for results, with Davies aware that a turnaround in form is needed quickly to ease mounting pressure and fully win back supporter confidence.