Ex-Sunderland and Barnsley star tells Birmingham City to 'embrace the pressure'

Former West Brom and Wolves forward Don Goodman believes Chris Davies can thrive under the pressure at Birmingham City.

Goodman, one of the leading commentators for Sky Sports' coverage of the EFL said that Blues should expect automatic promotion at the 'absolute minimum' and expects them to win the League One title. The Leeds-born former striker played more than 600 games of professional football and since retiring he has watched plenty of games across the three divisions of the Football League.

In the eyes of many, it's Birmingham who will have a target on their backs, with Blues ranked as the favourites for the title. They have signed four new players all for transfer fees, including the division's top goal scorer from last season, Alfie May.

Chris Davies, who has taken on his first number one job in senior level management, has been tasked with delivering promotion at the first attempt. After working under Brendan Rodgers for most of his career and later Ange Postecoglu, it is hoped that he can drawn on those experiences to help make success at St Andrew's a possibility.

Goodman said: "You are always under pressure when you're managing one of the biggest clubs in the league, because there's an expectation.

"You can see what I expect and I'm not even a Birmingham City fan!

"The expectation is going to be there but, having been at Spurs and Liverpool under top managers like Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglu, I think Chris Davies is the type of character that will embrace the pressure.

He added: "I think he'll love it and instil into his group that they are the best in the league and that they should impose themselves on opponents from the first minute of every game.

"He'll be aware that if the results don't come, pressure will grow with every game but that's just the nature of the beast."