BBC NEWS: Chris Davies issues Lee Buchanan update and indulges Birmingham City’s Wembley dream.

Birmingham City beat Fulham 7-1. BirminghamLive provides a transcript of his post-match news conference for the Under-21s.

Birmingham City defeated Fulham Under-21s by seven goals at St Andrew’s @Knighthead Park on Tuesday evening, advancing to the final 32 of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

The Blues defeated their youthful opponents with two goals each from Jay Stansfield and Ayumu Yokoyama, as well as one each from Alfie May, Keshi Anderson, and Lyndon Dykes, thanks to Willum Willumsson’s outstanding performance.

Match evaluation

CD: I felt we were really excellent; we were clearly the dominating team throughout, and I think what was very satisfying was that we had a mix of guys who hadn’t played much and others who had played more, and I was really delighted with how we looked.

We began the game with the appropriate intent and mentality, and that maintained throughout. We looked like we wanted to stay out there for another half an hour at the end of the game.

So it’s quite satisfying.

The goal was plainly to get through tonight; what more did you expect to gain out of it?

CD: It was critical for us to continue to develop and enhance our game, and each game provided an opportunity to grow and work on our skills. Whether that was our immediate issue and the answers we needed to find because here was a team that, as I told the lads before the game, is one of the top academy teams in the country.

I said, ‘They know how to play football, and they’ll try, but it’s critical that we’re ready to press, be aggressive, and find answers. It was fantastic to see that. Then, with the ball, we tried to move it fast, play with enthusiasm, and have a genuine desire to score.

But, to put this in context, were they an academy team?

CD: Yes, sure. But, as I told the boys, it’s a game of football, and your approach should be the same no matter who you’re playing against, whether it’s a full under-21 squad or Fulham’s first team, like we were here a few months ago and faced them in the Carabao Cup.

Whatever the circumstances, our attitude must remain consistent.

We learn from each game what we did well and what we didn’t do well, and we progress from there to the knockout stages.

Does anyone at the club dare to look up and think about how awesome it would be to travel to Wembley?

CD: I believe I am conscious that we are on that path, and while it would be amazing, there are a few steps to go first. But the first goal is to get you out of the group, and we’ve accomplished that.

Now it’s a matter of seeing who we get in the next round and hoping that, step by step, we can move closer.

Willumsson finished with three assists tonight; what did you think of his performance?

He’s a really cerebral player with excellent tight control; he’s clearly huge and imposing on the field, but he’s also quite technically gifted.

He keeps the ball near to his feet, which makes him tough to read. He has a smart passing style. He is constantly seeking for the striker.

He’s a striker’s dream, because he’s always looking for you, combining and serving you.

So far, he has acclimated well to English football.

He has a high ceiling, and he has to keep working hard and making an impact, because everyone is starting to see what a tremendous player he is.

He’s come, ideally, to a club that is doing something, and he wants to be a part of it. How far can he go? I’m not sure, but as I often tell them, “You never know how far you can go, so work hard, improve your game every day, and see where it takes you.”

Can I inquire how near Lee Buchanan is?

Lee is nearing the conclusion of his rehabilitation. He has experienced a few setbacks due to injury, and he has been out for quite some time. So, I believe Lee has to create a basis of fitness before he can cope with the demands of training and playing. We are discussing weeks rather than days.

And Bielik

CD: He is in a similar position. He’ll be doing minimal workouts this week. He is day by day.

he’s very close.

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