Birmingham's New Edge, West Ham's Dominance, and Preston's Struggles
Chris Davies deserves a lot of praise for the incredible turnaround he’s orchestrated at Birmingham City. Last season, they dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge to convert that control into goals, especially on the road, leaving them well short of the play-off spots.
This season, though, things are different. Davies has made Birmingham more adventurous, with the team now sitting 10th in possession stats. They still want the ball and aim to control matches, but their approach has shifted to a more direct and forward-thinking style.
August Priske has stepped up as a key player, not just finding the back of the net but also serving as a pivotal point for the team to build their attacks. Birmingham has become versatile, able to penetrate defenses in various ways.
Liam Millar is undoubtedly one of the standout players in the Championship since his arrival. Davies has always had his eye on Millar, and now that he’s finally on board, he’s proving to be a perfect fit.
In a recent interview, Millar boasted about his form but emphasized the team’s new attacking dynamics. They’re no longer predictable, a stark contrast to last season when opponents could easily read their game plan.
With the evolution of their playing style and the impact of new signings, Birmingham is now a formidable force. Davies had to innovate; sticking to the same old plan wasn’t going to cut it. The players are clearly enjoying this revamped approach, which is yielding impressive results.
Many observers have labeled Birmingham as the most thrilling team in the league right now, and it’s hard to argue against that given the transformation under Davies.
Meanwhile, West Ham made a significant statement with their recent victory over Swansea. They demonstrated their attacking arsenal, scoring through 11 different players in their last five outings. This kind of variety in attack can wreak havoc on defenses.
West Ham is finding their rhythm, losing only once and winning six out of their last eight matches. The new signings, like Joel Piroe and Manor Solomon, are slotting right in and making their mark.
That narrow 1-0 win against Swansea was crucial. It may not have been a high-scoring affair, but securing a win away from home against a solid Swansea team was a clear message of intent. It’s no easy feat to come away with points from there.
West Ham has rarely looked shaky this season, aside from a brief period against Millwall, where they found themselves trailing 2-0. But overall, there’s little to suggest that their momentum will falter. They possess depth, quality, and a passion for the game that’s infectious.
Many players coming down from the Premier League might struggle to adapt, but West Ham’s squad seems to be relishing their Championship journey. Their fans are behind them in droves, turning the season into an experience to enjoy rather than endure.
Everything has aligned for West Ham thus far, but they’ve also earned their successes through hard work and a positive mindset.
I would have backed West Ham as favorites even if they were lower in the table, and now they’ve positioned themselves as title contenders after embracing the league in a way I didn’t foresee at the start of the season.
On the other hand, Preston’s situation is more concerning. The tactics don’t seem to have changed much under Graham Alexander, and it highlights how much Paul Heckingbottom overachieved with the same squad last season.
Heckingbottom managed to guide a struggling team to a mid-table finish, showcasing his coaching prowess. Now, Alexander faces the tough task of replicating that success with a squad that hasn’t seen much investment.
The challenge lies in whether he can inspire the same level of performance and results that Heckingbottom achieved, but the signs from their defensive struggles suggest that it’s a steep hill to climb.
