'Serious bid' - Birmingham City's former £5.5m record signing reveals major prediction for next season
Birmingham City will be back in the Championship next season, and a former star gave his view
After just a season away, Birmingham City will hope to make a huge impact on their return to the second tier next season. Comparisons with Ipswich Town have been suggested as Blues fans dream of making a splash at the top end of the Championship table.
After a record-breaking League One season, you can’t blame them. A total of 111 points on the way to promotion was the outright record in EFL history. Blues had the best goalscoring and defensive records in the league, and lost just three games as they stormed to the title.
What made the achievement even more impressive was that it came in Chris Davies’ first season in management. If his and the club’s forward trajectory continues in similar fashion, it is impossible to predict how far Blues can go.
The club’s spending spree last summer and financial prowess have been well documented, and associations with NFL icon Tom Brady have increased the club’s profile on a global stage. But that takes nothing away from the sporting achievement this season has represented for Blues.
Former Birmingham City star has his say about next season
Speaking with Vavel, former Blues record signing David Dunn suggested that fans shouldn’t get carried away, but that anything is possible next season.
"Birmingham is buzzing right now. The new ownership have done a great job with their investment and with the signings made, they have all delivered on their potential”, said Dunn.
"Credit to the manager Chris Davies, who has done a brilliant job this season. I think he has managed the hype well and delivered a team week in week out to compete on the pitch. To get 111 points is no mean feat and this gives the whole team big confidence to start well next year in the Championship."
A midfielder in his playing days, Dunn made 69 appearances for Blues after a £5.5m transfer in 2003. He said of the club’s chances next campaign: "The Championship is a different beast to that of League 1, however, with this momentum and the club are likely to invest again, there is no reason Birmingham City can’t mount a serious bid for the play-offs and promotion. The crowd are all onside, they have a good coach, good squad and with some fine tuning, can give next season a real go.”
Blues will look to emulate Ipswich success
The blueprint for all sides coming up from League One is that of Ipswich Town, who proved with back-to-back promotions that the gap between the two divisions is one which can be bridged with smart management.
Ipswich’s biggest strength was continuity, with the bulk of their 2022-23 League One promotion-winning squad also playing a key part as the Tractor Boys finished as runners-up in the Championship at the first attempt.
Blues have a financial might greater than that which Ipswich boasted, but it can be argued that Davies’ current squad was assembled with life in the Championship in mind. Should the young manager keep the squad together while adding a sprinkling of star quality, a shot at the top six or even promotion is not out of the question.