Chris Davies told to sign back-up for key star as Birmingham fans warn of ‘season nosedive’

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Birmingham City fans are convinced they need reinforcements in one position in particular after their defeat to Port Vale – and it’s not at left back.

The Blues suffered their first defeat of the season since their record-breaking League One title-winning campaign on Tuesday, falling to a 1-0 loss at home to League One Vale in the Carabao Cup second round. The third tier side rubbed further salt in Birmingham’s wounds by having a cheeky dig at co-owner Tom Brady and the club’s documentary after the game.

Manager Chris Davies made 10 changes to his side that beat Oxford United 1-0 in the Championship on Saturday, with Phil Neumann the only player starting both games. Premier League loanees Tommy Doyle and Lewis Koumas came into the XI, while summer signings Marvin Ducksch and Kanya Fujimoto made their debut. Right-back Alfons Sampsted started at left-back, with Alex Cochrane getting back to fitness.

But after being frustrated by Port Vale and being reduced to zero shots on target despite having 70% of possession, it was the absence of one other regular starter that raised alarm bells amongst the St Andrew’s faithful.

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Birmingham need a Tomoki Iwata back-up before summer transfer window shuts

Marc Leonard stepped in to the line-up in place of first choice defensive midfielder Tomoki Iwata in the cup tie, playing alongside Doyle, who had come in for Paik Seung-ho.

Japan international Iwata had started and played the entirety of Birmingham’s first four games, and will have been rested on Tuesday by Davies ahead of the Blues’ trip to Leicester City this weekend. He’s completed the most progressive passes of any of his teammates this season, making 17, showing his importance in the way Birmingham click. Laird, Paik and Christoph Klarer are joint second with 15 each.

However, while Leonard – who reiterated his commitment to Birmingham on Tuesday – can’t be blamed for the defeat to Port Vale, Blues fans on social media aren’t convinced Davies has enough cover in Iwata’s position to last the Championship season in case the ex-Celtic man gets injured.

One fan wrote on X: “If Iwata picks up an injury, our season nosedives imo. I hope we’ve got cover lined up.”

“100% agree we really missed Iwata tonight,” a second said.

A third added: “I feel like Leonard’s fine at this level, but he needs a defensive-midfielder next to him. Iwata better have legs made of steel if we aren’t going to bring in a back up number six.”

Luckily for Blues fans, Davies recently said his side are looking for ‘a couple’ of transfers before the window shuts.

Which other positions do Birmingham need to fill this summer window?

Following captain Krystian Bielik’s transfer from Birmingham to West Bromwich Albion, Blues have been left with three central defenders, hence Neumann’s inclusion on Tuesday. Ex-Arsenal man Bielik also had the ability to play in defensive midfielder after playing there earlier in his career.

Cochrane’s injury also illustrated the need for a left back, with right-back Ethan Laird having to step in against Oxford.

Koumas impressed on Tuesday and can be a decent deputy for Demarai Gray, but Davies could do with another winger on the right to cover Keshi Anderson. Birmingham were also recently told to sign a striker.

“I think we’re still looking to try to finish the squad off. To do that we still need a couple definitely – and that’s a work in progress,” Davies said last week.

Blues have spent just shy of an estimated £15million so far this summer, selling an estimated £8million worth of players too.