Birmingham City manager Chris Davies believes his League One leaders are “in good shape” and can “push on to another level” in their quest for promotion back to the Championship.
Blues secured a 4-0 victory over Cambridge United on Tuesday, increasing their lead to seven points over Wycombe Wanderers and 11 points over third-placed Wrexham.
The success came after their gutsy 3-2 home defeat by Premier League Newcastle United in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and Davies was desperate for his side to build on the positives they got from that meeting.
“It was important we made a fast start and we showed the right attitude from the first whistle,” Davies told BBC Radio WM.
“Because of the highs of the performance on the weekend, there was always going to be a natural comedown and I thought the players answered all those questions and got right into the game and were very dominant.
“It was an important game, back in the league, and I wanted to make it count.”
Harris ‘fully deserves’ goal boost
Davies also singled out the performance of on-loan midfielder Luke Harris after the 19-year-old scored Birmingham’s fourth goal and his first at St Andrew’s since joining at the start of the season from Fulham.
“I gave him an individual mention after the game in the dressing room because he’s worked really hard and he’s been in and out and it’s not been easy,” Davies said.
“He’s stayed mentally strong and had to try to contribute when he’s got the opportunity. He’s come as a goalscoring midfielder and although he gets into great positions he hasn’t managed to convert one of them.
“It was a really good finish so that will give him a lot of confidence and he fully deserves that boost.”
With 18 games to go, Blues remain very well placed to make an immediate return to the Championship under Davies, who has impressively rejuvenated their fortunes following the club’s chaotic relegation last term.
The current 11-point cushion in the automatic promotion spots – with a game in hand over Wycombe and Wrexham – keeps them favourites to go straight up and Davies is sure his side have extra gears to go to as the run-in approaches.
“We’re in good shape,” Davies said.
“For me the bigger picture is: ‘Are we improving? Are we developing as a group? Are our performance levels staying high?’
“There’s a look to the team that we can push on to another level and that excites me.”
