"Undroppable" - Birmingham City lauded for "absolutely outstanding" £1.3m signing | OneFootball

The left-back has been a joy to watch since joining Blues in the summer, and is arguably the best left-back in League One.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Birmingham City have taken like a duck to water in League One, and have used their financial strength to build a squad that looks more than comfortable in the division.

Blues are flying at the top of the table currently, and they look set on winning promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking following relegation at the end of last season.

Chris Davies has inspired his squad of highly talented players to play some incredible, fast-paced football that is lighting up St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, and they look a very difficult side to beat at this moment in time.

While Birmingham's attacking players are impressing, defensively they have been excellent, conceding just 10 goals in their first 11 matches. It has been this strength at the back that has led them to drop points in just two games so far, losing only once - to Charlton Athletic.

One of their defenders, Alex Cochrane, has formed an instant connection with supporters, and has been near-perfect since joining the club in the summer, and he has been a huge reason behind their early success.

Cochrane is a crucial part of Davies' team

Although he only signed in July for a reported initial £1.3 million, he has quickly become the first-choice left-back for Blues, and while Lee Buchanan has had his injury issues, the 24-year-old has made the position his own.

It seems unlikely that when the former Derby County full-back returns, Cochrane will lose his place, particularly as Buchanan will take a while to get back to full fitness.

It's an opinion that is shared by Football League World's Birmingham Fan Pundit, Mike Gibbs, who has been asked for one word to describe the former Hearts defender.

He told FLW: "I think the one word I'd use for him is undroppable, Alex Cochrane.

"He's been absolutely outstanding. Just Mr consistent. I think he's pretty much one of the first names on the team sheet if I’m brutally honest."

"I think for £1.3m, he was a great bit of business. He's really going to keep Lee Buchanan out of the team when he comes back from injury as well."

Cochrane provides the perfect attacking threat from the left

Defensively, Cocharne is solid, but it's a trait that is not tested all too much considering the quality of Birmingham's midfielders, and he has shown that he can use his attacking prowess from deep.

The ex-Brighton & Hove Albion defender is perhaps unlucky to only have one assist to his name currently, having created 10 chances in League One this season.

Efficiency on the ball is a key part of Cochrane's game, and he has completed 85.5% of his passes, becoming a crucial cog in Davies' high-possession, on the front foot style of play that has served them so well so far.

Buchanan will be watching on and wondering how he fits into the team once he recovers from his injury, but if he does get his opportunity, he must grasp it with both hands to show his manager why he played 32 times in the Championship last season.