You can feel the optimism inside St Andrew's

It is too early to call Birmingham City genuine promotion contenders, of course, but their early-season displays are giving cause for optimism and you can feel it inside St Andrew's.

This is a Birmingham side with something different to last season - they attack with more aggression and defend with authority. Saturday's victory over QPR had all that and more as they swatted aside a very capable team.

It looks as if Chris Davies took a deep dive in to ways he could improve his team in the summer and was prepared to adapt a more conservative style into something more exciting - and with pretty much the same players. It should win them a lot of games in this campaign.

August Priske is a real presence up front, other players look sharper and Liam Millar has added a lot.

The winger provides a significant route to goal, an outlet capable of spearheading Birmingham's approach of getting the ball up the pitch fast.

And a settled back line and goalkeeper - so solid and organised on Saturday - appears to aid Birmingham's cause. It was a well-earned clean sheet.

The goalkeeper, James Beadle, made three really good saves. He is maturing as arguably the best young English goalkeeper outside of the Premier League.

There are many encouraging things about Birmingham and the way they are evolving under their head coach, who has often divided opinion.