Birmingham City manager Chris Davies was speaking after his team lost 1-0 to Cardiff City

Birmingham City manager Chris Davies admitted his team were second best in their defeat to Cardiff City.

Blues suffered only their second Championship defeat of the season at the Cardiff City Stadium with Yousef Salech’s first half strike settling the contest.

Cardiff were well worth their third straight home win – even if Blues threatened an equaliser in the closing stages through substitutes Marvin Ducksch and Demarai Gray.

Here is every word Davies said post-match…

Assessment of the defeat

“The best team won. In any game if you’re second to the ball that much playing at that level it’s always going to be hard.

“We couldn’t get on top of them at any point until the last 15 minutes or so when we looked like we could nick something from the game.

“Every time we had possession of the ball there was a blue shirt on us and playing and beating that press was going to take a combination of quick decisive thinking or playing over to the frontline and using our physicality and speed in behind, but neither were allowing us too much progression up the pitch.

“Too much of it was around our half or the halfway line and we just couldn’t get near their box.

“Defensively, we were very disorganised for the first goal in terms of the position we end up in and how easy it came into the box and the goal. That’s unlike us because we’re usually quite solid in those moments.

“We looked disorganised there and gave ourselves a big job to recover from that in the second half. We couldn’t quite get going in the second half.”

Was Neumann too eager to get in front of Salech for the goal?

“It’s the line. You’ve got to be a unit. Phil showed a lot of his qualities today to be fair but as a unit, as a collective, that was the problem today. It was very much a team thing in terms of the jobs we needed to do and how we approached the game.

“It’s a game I knew would be tough. I’ve watched all of their games and how they’ve played, they’re a nice footballing team and try to put the press on but it needed more from ourselves.”

Did you have any issue with the goal?

“I know there was a claim for it but I didn’t see it in the moment. I don’t think you get those ones. The penalty was ridiculous. I’m glad we’re not talking about that as a decisive moment in the game. I cannot believe that was given and I hope it’s reflected on as a mistake.”

Why do you think so many players were below their usual level?

“It’s difficult to say. In the days ahead we will analyse what we could have done better and that’s something that’s sometimes hard to put your finger on.

“There seemed a real intent to come here and get a positive result but it wasn’t to be.”

It looked like you missed August Priske…

“Yes. He gives us not only his size and presence but his quality and mobility. He gives us a real focal point and he’s been a key player for us. It’s natural you’re going to miss key players.”

How do you get Luis Vazquez to that level?

“He’s got to keep learning and adapting to this Championship. What he has is real physicality. He’s a big, strong lad and he’s got to use that frame of his to hold the ball up and gain some territory for us. That’s going to be his No.1 strength.

“A bit like August had to do when he first came in. He took a few months to really get to grips with the Championship and the centre-backs you’re up against.

“It’s a process Luis is on at the moment and he has to keep learning.”

Have the subs given you something to think about?

“It’s always a case of not overreacting. The players that have come on showed some moments, obviously, but we’ve had a very good season so far.

“This is obviously a bump in the road for us. We’re going to have to take our medicine and learn from it but it’s always going to be about the squad.

“We’re going to need all those players to contribute over the next few months, whether they start or come off the bench.

“We didn’t quite have that last year. We had 11 but we didn’t have the depth to come on. We’re going to need that in these coming months.”

Have you had a chance to speak with John Murtough yet?

“I have had a chance to speak to him. We welcome him to the club.

“That relationship is obviously crucial at a football club, no doubt about it.

“It’s been a good six months since Craig left but now John is in and we’ll get to work next week.”

Did the conditions make it difficult?

“It was very difficult. It wasn’t too windy but it was really rainy. When the players are out there they are just concentrating on the game. Tricky conditions.”