'Big...' - What Chris Davies said after Birmingham City beat Stockport County

Birmingham City manager Chris Davies believes that his side did both sides of the game well as they claimed a 2-0 win over Stockport County on Wednesday night.

Alfie May was twice on target in the first-half inside a nine minute spell with Stockport failing to issue a response. Birmingham with the win remained in third but closed the gap on Wycombe Wanderers and Wrexham to a couple of points.

A statistical look at the game saw Birmingham dominate with the ball, boasting a possession of 68% and 586 passes, which is more than double than what the opposition played. Both sides had five shots on target but it was the home team that took their chances.

“I thought it was a big three points for us,” Davies said to BBC Radio West Midlands.

“I said to the players we had to show all sides of our game tonight because there was some good football, good goals, but we had to show fight and determination at times.

“Another clean sheet, another couple of goals, and we’re starting to build momentum again, I was really pleased.”

Stockport did challenge Birmingham at times and hit the crossbar through Will Collar before going behind. Before the second half, Dave Challinor made a triple change with Isaac Olaofe, Callum Camps, and Jack Diamond all introduced.

The visitors had a few chances from distance with Louie Barry’s free-kick hitting the wall and Diamond sending shots just past Ryan Allsop’s goal. It was a half of football in which Birmingham had some chances with Jay Stansfield going close, but for the most part of it they were defending.

Ultimately though, Birmingham’s goal wasn’t breached, and defenders could take pride in getting a clean sheet in front of their own supporters. Birmingham remain unbeaten at home in the league, and the manager was pleased with how his side dealt with the change in mentality.

“In the first-half they were quite passive with a 5-4-1,” he added.

“It was about taking the game to them, and they were 2-0 down. They kind of threw the kitchen sink at it and made three changes with a 4-4-2 and man-for-man press really.

He added: “I said to the players that you have got to play the game that is in front of you. Now it’s changed, they’ve got nothing to lose and they’re basically sort of man to man, and waiting for a mistake in our build-up.

“They’re trying to press us. it’s about beating that press and breaking through that pressure and then trying to exploit their backline. We did that a couple of times but I thought we played the game that was in front of us well.

“We limited them to very little, we defended our box when we needed too, and they had some big guys on there who were very direct.

“They sort of took off their footballing players, and went for more physical players at half-time. It’s what changed.”