Graeme Jones hit out at a fixture schedule that gave his Luton side a day less recovery time than Birmingham as they lost 2-1 at St Andrew’s.
Lukas Jutkiewicz headed an 82nd minute winner after Harry Cornick has cancelled out Kristian Pedersen’s late first half opener.
It handed the Hatters a second straight Championship defeat, having lost 3-2 at Fulham on Wednesday night.
Birmingham had beaten Blackburn on Tuesday night and Jones hit out a fixture list that adversely affected his side and fellow Championship new boys Charlton, who also had to face a second away game on the spin after a Wednesday night clash.
“We need a level playing field, that’s all we’re asking for here,” said Jones, adding: “We need to make our voices heard as we’re not going to put up with it, all were asking for is a level playing field with every other team in this league and today we haven’t had that.
“I know Charlton got a last-minute equaliser and well-done to them, but when you see things happen late in the game, there’s physical aspect to it,” Jones said.
“Luton and Charlton don’t need anymore disadvantages. We’ve already got the two worst budgets in the league. If anything, the authorities, the EFL, or whoever it is, need to help Luton and Charlton. How can that happen? How can we be the only two teams? How?
“Is that really that difficult, to look at a fixture list and think, ‘c’mon, give people a chance’.
“We’re the only two teams that played away from home Wednesday and Saturday.
“We played Derby before the last international break. They played Wednesday, we played Wednesday and there were no problems at all. None.
“Luton and Charlton, the disadvantages are already big enough. If you get beaten 2-1 and we finished on Tuesday night, fair enough, but it’s not right.
“You can’t measure our performance the same way, it’s not fair. That’s my disappointment today.”
Asked if he can make a complaint the EFL, Jones said: “I don’t know. My focus from Wednesday night just immediately went on the Birmingham game because there’s nothing I’m going to do at that point is going to change anything. I will look into that.
“The 82nd minute as well, that hurts. It leaves you with it because it’s late in the game and that’s when fatigue kicks in.”
Asked whether the solution would have been to play the game on Sunday, Jones said: “That would be perfect. No problem, we’re playing Sunday. Just give us a chance. Just give us an even playing field. I’ve got no problems with that.
“That extra day doesn’t count as much then. It’s a minimum 48 hours recovery. I don’t know what Birmingham have had – 72, 84? We’ve had 60.
“I know, because I’ve been a player, it makes a massive difference. Massive.
“People don’t realise unless you’re involved at this level, unless you’re professional, how much 24 hours matter.
“We’ve got to help ourselves as well, that’s our disappointment.
“Let’s say we get beat today, 3-0, and you’re not on the same pitch and the recovery has been the same and it’s been an even playing field, then you wont get any complaints from me. OK, they’re a better side.
“But I dont think its happened to us once this season, but it’s already difficult enough without making the two away trips and the physical side even harder.
“The most important part of the game is recovery and being able to be mentally and physically fresh for every game, but we’re at a disadvantage and it isn’t right.”
