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We now finally know for sure that Birmingham City will be playing in the Championship next season, with the Blues securing promotion this week.
In truth, we have known for a while that Birmingham would win promotion from League One, with the Midlands club running away with it in the third tier after their relegation last season.
There’s still work to be done though, with the league title to clinch and the EFL Trophy to win this weekend, too.
With six games to go in the league, and the Vertu Trophy final on Sunday, this season could go from a good one to a great one for the Blues, but who truly deserves credit for that success?
Chris Davies has done a great job at Birmingham City
Discussing the promotion party on the Football Daily EFL podcast, Jobi McAnuff admitted that Birmingham obviously were able to add some incredible talent to their squad over the summer, which did make things almost inevitable, but they added the right players most importantly.
He said: “I’ve got to give them credit first and foremost, because yes they’ve had an unbelievable budget and the recruitment’s been key in that. You can go and get fantastic footballers, but are they the right types? I’d look at the likes of an Alfie May, for example, know what you’re going to get for the level, hasn’t started every game but he’s been around the squad.
“When they’ve needed him to contribute, he’s contributed. I think there’s been a real mix of getting that balance of brilliant footballers, but good people. But, of course it’s what they should be doing. When you look at the money they’ve spent, it’s absolutely mind-boggling.”
However, McAnuff reserved special praise for Birmingham manager Chris Davies, and hailed the decision to appoint the first-time manager last summer for the big task of getting the Blues promoted as a masterstroke from the powers that be.
He added: “What I will say is going back to the appointment of Chris Davies, that’s where I’ll give Birmingham City a real pat on the back because it’d have been really easy to go with a tried and trusted manager with a track record of getting promotions.
“But I think that the way that he’s done it, I think the style that he’s done it has really impressed me. As a first time manager, how quickly he’s managed to implement those ideas and the style in which they’ve gone and won the games that they have done.
“So all around they’ve done a fantastic job, I think it’s what everyone expected, it was always a case of ‘when’, not ‘if’ with Birmingham City this season. Lots more work to come, but exciting times, I think everyone at that football club is in a brilliant place.”
He will be tested in the Championship, but Chris Davies can go right to the top
Davies took on the top job at Birmingham having worked as assistant manager at Tottenham Hotspur and being part of the coaching staff at Liverpool in the past. He’s now proven his credentials as a manager in his own right, and has a bright future ahead.
Listening to Davies’ post-match message to his players, it’s clear that he will not be resting on his laurels for these final games, and certainly won’t be next season, either.
Birmingham City’s summer transfer plan is one of aggression and big spending, as they look to secure another promotion next year, with the Premier League the ultimate goal.
Davies will face a stern test in the Championship next season, but with the way he has got the players playing, plus his mentality and motivational talents, there’s no doubt he can thrive as the club evolves.