Saturday's 3-0 Championship victory for Birmingham City over Queens Park Rangers prompted a flood of supporter reaction, with Blues fans daring to dream of automatic promotion while QPR followers questioned the tactical decisions that left their side outclassed.

Birmingham fans sensing something special

The mood among Birmingham supporters after the final whistle at St Andrew's was one of barely contained excitement. Fan Matt spoke for many when he admitted he had his doubts about head coach Chris Davies earlier in the campaign: "I doubted Chris Davies a few times, but right now he is working miracles. He really has this team ticking."

Fellow supporter George called it "top, top, top performance," adding it was the best he had seen the club play in some considerable time. Martin singled out the individual contribution of Liam Millar as the difference-maker, describing his display as one of "individual brilliance" against a QPR side he acknowledged were "very drilled" and "organised."

David Y went furthest of all, insisting that if the performances continue at this level, automatic promotion is a realistic target: "Outstanding performance. Keep this up and we will get automatic promotion." That kind of talk reflects the confidence building inside the ground, though sustaining a promotion charge across the full 46-game calendar remains a different proposition to a run of fine form.

David, a separate contributor, noted the transformation from last season: "What a job Davies is doing, we look a completely different team." That sentiment chimes with what the table suggests: Birmingham have collected nine points in their recent run and climbed towards the top end of the division.

QPR supporters turn on tactics

The mood in the away end told a very different story. QPR fans were united in frustration, with most of their criticism directed at manager Marti Stephan's selection and formation.

Gary was among the most pointed: "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." His suggested alternative was a 5-3-2 shape, a view shared in spirit if not in precise detail by several others.

Ken took issue specifically with the use of winger Paul Smyth on the left flank rather than the right, where he argued the player is a far more consistent threat: "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." He drew a parallel with a similar complaint from years past involving Jamie Mackie, suggesting the club has a recurring tendency to misplace its wide players.

Colin offered a slightly more measured assessment, pointing out that QPR had begun the brighter of the two sides and that a missed chance from Boy Kemper inside the first ten minutes could have shifted the complexion of the match entirely: "if Kemper had taken his chance after 10 minutes it might been a very different result." He noted that injuries remain a mitigating factor and expressed hope that some absentees would return in time for a home game against Swansea.

Jim, meanwhile, urged QPR's hierarchy not to overreact, warning against drawing firm conclusions from any single result: "Absolutely no consistency... much too early to sit on their laurels."

Where each club stands

The result leaves the two clubs heading in sharply different directions, at least for now. Birmingham appear to have found a rhythm under Davies, with team shape, individual form and confidence all pointing the same way. QPR, who were described as "fellow fast-starters" before kick-off, will need to regroup quickly in a division where a defeat of this margin can rapidly undo the goodwill built from earlier results.

The Championship does not allow clubs to dwell for long. For Birmingham, the challenge is converting a purple patch into a sustained promotion push. For QPR, it is stopping the rot before the table starts to tell a more uncomfortable story.

Frequently asked

What did Birmingham fans say after the 3-0 win over QPR?
Birmingham supporters were overwhelmingly positive, praising head coach Chris Davies and calling for automatic promotion if this level of performance continues. Several singled out Liam Millar's individual display as the highlight.
Why are QPR fans unhappy after the Birmingham defeat?
QPR supporters were critical of manager Marti Stephan's tactical choices, particularly the narrow formation and the decision to play Paul Smyth on the left rather than the right, where fans believe he is more effective.
How has Chris Davies changed Birmingham City this season?
According to supporters, Birmingham look a 'completely different team' from last season under Davies, with a clear shape, improved confidence and a run of results that has them pushing towards the top of the Championship table.