Chris Cohen, Lincoln City's joint head coach, cut a frustrated figure after his side were beaten at home by Birmingham City in the Championship, with the result continuing to heap pressure on a Lincoln squad that has been searching for consistency this season.

Cohen's verdict on the defeat

Speaking to BBC Radio Lincoln after the final whistle, Cohen acknowledged that things are "not going in the right direction" for the Imps at present. The phrase, though understated, carries real weight for a club that has found clean, settled form hard to come by.

Cohen and his co-head coach have been tasked with steadying Lincoln in a Championship campaign that has offered glimpses of quality, including the 4-1 home win over Burnley that gave supporters genuine optimism, but also a run of results that leaves the club uncomfortably placed in the table.

The defeat to Birmingham will sting particularly because it came at Sincil Bank, where Lincoln's home form has been a significant talking point throughout the season. Building a reliable home record is often cited as the baseline for second-tier survival, and another loss on their own patch makes that task harder.

Birmingham continuing their purple patch

For Birmingham City, the victory represents further evidence of the form that has seen the club accumulate points at a rate that has surprised several observers. A recent run described in some quarters as a "purple patch" has repositioned Birmingham in the second-tier table, and a win away from home adds a different dimension to their credentials.

The Blues have shown an ability to travel and grind out results, which is a quality that tends to separate genuine promotion contenders from sides that merely perform well in front of their own supporters. Whether that form is sustainable over the full course of a 46-game Championship campaign remains to be seen, but the evidence is accumulating.

Where Lincoln go from here

Lincoln's situation demands an honest appraisal. The joint head-coaching model has been a topic of discussion among supporters, and results like this one will intensify the scrutiny. Cohen, a respected figure at the club given his long association with it as a player before moving into coaching, will be aware that goodwill has its limits when the points are not being gathered.

The Imps did secure Adam Reach on a contract until 2028, a statement of intent that points to long-term planning, but contracts mean little if the league position deteriorates to the point where larger structural questions arise. Lincoln will need a response, and quickly, if Cohen and his fellow coach are to keep the dressing room and the fanbase aligned behind their approach.

The Championship offers no respite. There will be another fixture on the horizon soon enough, and Cohen's challenge is to ensure his side do not allow a single defeat to become a damaging run. His public message after Birmingham was measured, but the underlying concern was unmistakable.

Frequently asked

What did Chris Cohen say after Lincoln's defeat to Birmingham?
Lincoln's joint head coach Chris Cohen told BBC Radio Lincoln that things are not going in the right direction for the club after the home loss to Birmingham City in the Championship.
What is Lincoln City's home form like this season?
Lincoln have been inconsistent at Sincil Bank this season. They recorded a 4-1 home win over Burnley but have also suffered home defeats, including this reverse against Birmingham City.
How are Birmingham City performing in the Championship?
Birmingham have been in strong form recently, picking up points at a rate that has impressed observers and helping them move into a positive position in the second-tier table.