Exclusive: Birmingham City owner tells players where team must finish in the Championship
Birmingham City owner Tom Wagner has told the players that he wants a top-two finish in the Championship this season, sources have told Football Insider.
The Blues currently sit 17th in the table after 10 games, nine points adrift of Middlesbrough in second.
Last month, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Birmingham boss Chris Davies was under growing pressure from the owners.
Wagner and the rest of the club’s hierarchy jetted into the UK to attend recent games against Sheffield Wednesday and Wrexham.
Tom Wagner visits dressing room to address Birmingham City players
Sources say that Wagner visited the dressing room after Birmingham’s draw with Wrexham and made it clear to the players that they are expected to achieve automatic promotion.
The owners heavily invested over the summer and feel that there is enough quality in the squad for a top-two finish.
On Saturday (18 October), Birmingham were beaten 3-2 by Hull City, to extend their winless run to four games.
The Midlands giants have won just three of their ten league games so far this season, and have just one victory in their last eight across all competitions.
Birmingham being given big reality check
After their impressive business in the transfer market, the Blues had been tipped by many to replicate Ipswich Town and go from League One all the way up to the Premier League in just two seasons.
Over the summer, Birmingham signed the likes of Demari Gray, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Tommy Doyle.
Despite the additions, the Midlands side have struggled with the step up in quality, and on current form are nowhere near promotion challengers.
Birmingham travel to Preston on Tuesday (21 October) evening, with the hope of sparking their season back into life.
For more Birmingham and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.