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James Beadle is heading into his second season at Birmingham City as the undisputed number one in the eyes of Chris Davies. When Blues first signed Beadle on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion last year, Davies billed it as a battle between two number ones and warned the England under-21 international that he would start the season as second fiddle to Ryan Allsop. Beadle usurped Allsop within 11 games of last season’s Championship and there is little doubt over who will keep goal when Blues open their league season at Sheffield United a week Saturday. For the first time during his tenure as manager Davies has handed out the number one shirt to one of his goalkeepers with Beadle becoming the first man since Neil Etheridge to hold that number. FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! All the latest Blues news on Birmingham Live’s Birmingham City FC Facebook page It is another show of faith by Davies in 22-year-old Beadle who penned a new long-term contract at Brighton before joining Blues on loan. Davies said: “I said to James in the summer that one of the reasons I want him back here is because I believe in him a lot and he’s mentally strong. He proved that last year. “As a goalkeeper, it’s not about not making mistakes because even the very best make mistakes in that position. If you’re mentally strong then it gives you a great chance. “He’s got great raw qualities as a goalkeeper, but having that mental strength, to be a really good goalkeeper, it’s a must. He coped with the ups and downs last year very well. I could see it day-to-day in how he was and he was rock solid. It didn’t mean that everything was smooth but he handled it really well and showed a strength of character. “That was one of the main reasons why I wanted to bring him back. “He’s not our player, he’s obviously Brighton’s player and they’ve given him a new contract and believe in him a lot. We believe in him and are developing him and pushing him along, but he has got quality. “The fans singing his name know what he’s capable of and I think James is the right keeper for us.”