Chris Davies responds to boos and chants from Birmingham fans during the 3-0 defeat to Watford on New year’s Day.
The first from Ince was a volley with his left foot following a brilliant pick out from Giorgi Chakvetadze.
Ince then made it 2-0, after wide play from Othmane Maamma, who picked out Ince in the middle, hit Blues keeper James Beadle with his first attempt then netted with the rebound on his favoured left.
On 60 minutes, Tom Ince grabbed himself a hat-trick, a shot into the roof of the net past Birmingham keeper James Beadle.
The result sees Birmingham sitting 16th with 31 points from 25 games played, while Watford are now 4th with 41 points from the same amount of games played.
Davies said, per Birmingham Mail: “I’m extremely disappointed. They’re really soft goals that we’ve conceded. We put ourselves in a really difficult position against a good team away from home.
“It was clear to me that we were nowhere near the level required to win a match. It was well short of the level you expect from a Birmingham City team and a team I put on the pitch.”
I never boo Blues but this was the reaction of the majority of Bluenoses after a dismal first half performance at Watford. #BCFC #KRO pic.twitter.com/vNv17NALhW
— Nick Glynn (@NickGlynn) January 1, 2026
“Sideways and backwards everywhere we go” 🎶 #BCFC #KRO pic.twitter.com/VjsesQQBhA
— Tommy Kelsall (@Tommy_Kelsall) January 1, 2026
On the chants of ‘sideways and backwards, everywhere we go’, he said: “I didn’t hear the chanting. In terms of the style of football, we’re a team that tries to be aggressive, tries to press the opposition and keep the ball close to their goal, try to dominate the ball but create chances with it,” said Davies.
“We’re not a team that passes the ball around at the back going nowhere. I don’t think we’ve ever been that since I’ve been here. That’s certainly not how we train.
“An attacking style of football is what we’ve had here. Today wasn’t quick enough, that was the problem. We were too slow. They were sat in a block and waiting for us to make a mistake and counter-attack. We weren’t moving the ball quickly enough to put them in dangerous areas to put them under pressure with crosses.
“I don’t think it was a style of play issue at all, it was a speed of play issue, and something we need to improve.
“When it clicks we have scored four goals in three games this season, so we can do it, but unfortunately that wasn’t anywhere near it today.”
This is absolutely woeful. No heart, no desire and no pride in the performance. Petty, hands in pockets reflecting what’s on the pitch #bcfc pic.twitter.com/5EU685Qjr7
— Blues Badger (@badgers_back) January 1, 2026
Davies at the back of the press box. Will have heard the disquiet #bcfc pic.twitter.com/jaMtwkQysR
— Blues Badger (@badgers_back) January 1, 2026
Marvin Ducksch having words with a fan after their defeat to Watford.
Probably not the wisest thing to do when:
👉 3 goals in 16 games
👉 Have just lost 3-0Oh dear 😬pic.twitter.com/eo1IC40DWk
— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) January 1, 2026
‘Sideways and backwards everywhere we go’ sing the away end. Haven’t laid a glove on them again. This is a side we beat not long ago too, absolutely poor football this. Forward passes are cheered. This and a loss to Coventry could spell the end I feel now for Davies. #bcfc pic.twitter.com/Lts8cLwooU
— Jack (@JackGraham08) January 1, 2026
On Marvin Ducksch’s exchange with a fan: “The supporters are amazing. We’ve got a great fanbase here and they will back the team if they see a team that’s fighting and doing everything for the club and that’s what I’ve always tried to have here.
“The supporters are entitled to voice their frustrations, absolutely. They pay their money and travel a long way to watch this club and our away performances have just not been good enough.
“We haven’t got enough to show for it.
“In any football club, togetherness is a very important thing within the dressing room and the club. I don’t think we’ve lost it, but it’s been challenged by the run we’re having.
“I don’t know what actually happened but if you’re talking with supporters in a reasonable way then there’s no harm in that, but in that situation you don’t want any confrontation or things like that. I’m not sure exactly what happened.
“The players’ job is to work hard for this club, this badge, this team and the fans have been amazing since I’ve been here.”
Watford’s Javi Gracia said: “I’m delighted for Tom. He scored three goals, but I know tomorrow Tom will be the first one at the training session and ready. If I decide he will play, he will be ready, if I decide other things, he will accept. We need this kind of behaviour if we want to create something different.
“It’s a good moment for the team, having good performances at home and away.
“It’s something amazing for us and helps us to believe in all the things we are doing, believing in the power of the squad. You can see the work again today – Luca [Kjerrumgaard], [Vivaldo] Semedo, Nestory [Irankunda], Giorgi [Chakvetadze], all the players up front are playing well, attacking and defending. The defensive work is our power. It’s the way we want to compete for the rest of the season.
“When we are playing so many games in a row, you never know how the game will be going, but scoring a goal early gave us the confidence to control the game, knowing we are playing against a very good team.
“It is not easy to win 3-0 against Birmingham, the same way we beat Middlesbrough 3-0 – two very good teams.
“To get another clean sheet for the team is important because we defended well and at the same time created a lot of chances.
“The squad believe in everything we are doing, there is no other secret.
“It’s about the way they can play because they are good players, and the power of our squad is high. It allows us to compete in the way we are in this busy schedule.
“I don’t spend much time watching the table. I prefer to be focused on the next game against Hull City. We only have two days to analyse, to prepare for the game, to travel, to recover the players and train.
“We have many things to do. When we arrived it was our objective to help the players play as a team because there is no doubt about the quality and attitude. But we have to synchronise all the feelings, skills, the different moments during the season.
“It is good because you try to explain to them why we do this or that, and they believe in it. And this way we can manage better the games.”
‘Our power is the collective’
Javi from inside the dressing room 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/H4yW6dY5J2
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 1, 2026
One match-winner.
One match ball.
One mantlepiece.Hear from man of the moment Tom Ince. pic.twitter.com/axoLIjAzsV
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 1, 2026
Here’s the social media reaction after Chris Davies responds to boos and chants from Birmingham fans during the 3-0 defeat to Watford…
@nickblues1875: There is simply no defence for that performance. Get on the phone to Steve Cooper.
@Matt_Court: With the exception of QPR away, we’ve conceded in the 12th, 6th, 5th & 9th minute in our last away games. Any chance we can change to a 5-4-1 & just play ugly football on the counter? We parked the bus Preston away…
@Bluenose_Andy: Worst performance of the season. Defended badly, midfield losing possession and overrun on the break, and a blunt attack. Squad changes needed asap, as much as we can.
@callum816: I wasn’t expecting much with the team we had available but a Tom Ince Hat-trick really is taking the piss 🤣🤦♂️
Make this the next post or don’t bother lads. pic.twitter.com/7udTDSHMrC
— 111 | Ben (@1875Ben) January 1, 2026
