Chris Davies has spoken with quiet confidence about Birmingham City's prospects in the Championship this season, telling BBC Radio WM that he is certain the club can improve on the 10th-place finish they managed last term, provided they maintain the consistency he says he has already seen from the squad.

A tough opening run acknowledged, not excused

Blues head into Saturday's trip to Derby sitting 15th in the table, a position that does not flatter them in Davies' view. He is keen to place it in context. In their opening five Championship matches, Birmingham picked up seven points before suffering a first defeat of the season at Norwich on Wednesday, ending a run of 11 unbeaten matches stretching back to last campaign.

The fixtures, however, have been far from kind. Sheffield United, Bristol City, Wrexham, Southampton, Wolves and Norwich, all clubs with genuine ambitions of contending for promotion, have already been faced. Davies was direct when asked about it.

"I don't think anyone in the Championship had a harder start than us in terms of opposition," he said. "It's not an excuse, it's a fact."

That distinction matters. The head coach is not reaching for cover; he is setting a baseline. Seven points from five games against that calibre of opposition is a return that warrants at least a measured assessment rather than alarm.

Performance level a cause for genuine optimism

What appears to encourage Davies most is not the points tally but the manner in which his side have gone about their business. He argued that Birmingham have been more consistent in their performance level across these early weeks than they were at any comparable stage last season, when they ultimately finished 10th.

"We've been competitive in every game, had some decent performances and results," he said. "We've acquitted ourselves well during that period but of course we want more points."

That is press-conference language to a degree, but the underlying claim is worth noting. A side that finished 10th last season is measuring itself against a higher standard this time. Whether the table reflects that by spring is the only test that counts.

Fixtures easing after international break

Davies pointed to the schedule shifting in Birmingham's favour once the international break has passed, describing the forthcoming fixtures as, "on paper", more manageable. He was careful to frame that as opportunity rather than guarantee.

"We have to come out of this period showing we can compete with some of the best teams in this league home and away," he said. "We've got to keep pushing."

The trip to Derby on Saturday, where former Birmingham boss John Eustace is now in the dugout, represents an immediate chance to bank points before the break. Davies indicated that Patrick Roberts and Jhon Solis, who have missed one and two matches respectively through minor injuries, could return and play some part at Pride Park, with kick-off at 12:30.

Where Blues stand in the wider picture

Fifteenth place is not where a club of Birmingham's support base and resource expects to spend the season. The St Andrew's renovation project, the backing behind the scenes and the ambitions Davies speaks about all point toward a club trying to move upward through the second tier rather than simply consolidate.

Whether "close to being a really good team", as Davies put it, translates into a top-half finish, a play-off push, or something more modest will depend on how the squad responds once the fixture list softens. For now, he is asking supporters to trust the process. Whether the points follow is a question the next two months will begin to answer.

Frequently asked

Why are Birmingham City 15th in the Championship table?
Blues have taken seven points from their opening five matches, but head coach Chris Davies argues the fixture list has been exceptionally difficult, including games against Sheffield United, Southampton, Wolves and Norwich, all of whom are aiming for promotion.
What did Chris Davies say about Birmingham's chances this season?
Davies told BBC Radio WM he is sure Birmingham can better last season's 10th-place finish, pointing to a more consistent performance level so far this term and expecting the fixture run to ease after the international break.
When do Birmingham City play Derby and who are the managers?
Birmingham travel to Pride Park on Saturday, kicking off at 12:30. Derby are managed by John Eustace, who previously managed Birmingham City before Chris Davies took charge.