A 6-1 home defeat tends to linger. Chris Davies is determined it will not linger long enough to damage Birmingham City's Championship campaign.

Blues were beaten heavily at St Andrew's on Tuesday evening when Brentford visited in the Carabao Cup, a scoreline that prompted the manager to gather his players and staff for a frank debrief the following day. Davies was guarded about what passed between them, but clear about the conclusion: the group must move on quickly and prove something against Wrexham on Friday night.

"You lick your wounds," Davies told BBC WM Sport. "We sat down and had a meeting about it. A lot of that we have to keep private and confidential, but we have been through that process. We have to pick ourselves up now very quickly. Resilience is the number one thing in football, you need it."

One result, not a collapse

Davies was at pains to separate a cup embarrassment from any suggestion of structural weakness. He has built steadily at St Andrew's since taking charge in 2024 and is not prepared to let a single heavy night unravel confidence in that work.

"It isn't going to derail anything," he said. "We have built something strong here over the past few years and it will take more than one heavy defeat to really dent that."

The timing of the Wrexham fixture gives Blues the chance to answer on the pitch within days, which Davies openly welcomed. A positive Championship result would reset the mood faster than any amount of internal reflection.

Wagner contact maintained

Davies also addressed the situation surrounding chairman Tom Wagner, who has been absent from the club since suffering a stroke in February. The manager confirmed he spoke to Wagner on Wednesday and remains in regular contact with the wider board, including chief executive Jeremy Dale.

"I speak to the board regularly," Davies said. "I spoke to Tom Wagner on Wednesday. Jeremy Dale is the CEO and I speak to Jeremy. There is a shared disappointment, but equally we know we have a great opportunity on Friday night."

The line of communication matters for a club mid-project. Knighthead's ownership has underpinned Birmingham's recovery from League One, and Davies was keen to signal that the relationship between the dugout and the boardroom remains intact despite the off-pitch difficulties surrounding Wagner's health.

Pressure is part of the job

Asked whether the result had increased pressure on his position, Davies gave a measured but honest answer. He acknowledged that management operates on short memories and thin margins, yet insisted he does not allow that reality to distract him.

"I've always felt pressure," he said. "We are a bad week away from being under huge pressure here because you just have to win in football. It is not something I concern myself with. There is pressure in management."

The cup exit carries no points consequences for Birmingham's Championship season. What Davies needs now is for his side to treat Friday's fixture at Wrexham as the statement game it is: a chance to demonstrate that the defensive frailties exposed in the cup do not travel into the league.

Supporters will judge the response, not the defeat. Davies knows it, and so do his players.

Frequently asked

Why did Birmingham City lose 6-1 to Brentford?
Blues were beaten 6-1 by Brentford at St Andrew's in a Carabao Cup tie. Manager Chris Davies held a team meeting afterwards but kept the details private, acknowledging it was a heavy defeat the squad must quickly put behind them.
When is Birmingham City's next Championship match?
Birmingham City face Wrexham on Friday night. Davies has identified the game as the immediate opportunity for his players to bounce back from the cup defeat.
What is the latest on Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner?
Tom Wagner has been absent from the club since suffering a stroke in February 2026. Manager Chris Davies confirmed he spoke to Wagner on Wednesday and continues to liaise regularly with the board, including CEO Jeremy Dale.