'Mincemeat' - ex-Leeds United ace makes huge Birmingham City claim as Chris Davies 'outperforms' Pep Guardiola
Birmingham City are on course to break the record for points in the EFL
Birmingham City steamrolled their way into the League One history books by recording a resounding 4-0 victory over Mansfield and taking their points tally to a record-breaking 105 in the process with two games of the season still to play.
The Blues eclipsed the long-running third-tier points record of 103 which had been held by rivals Wolves after their title triumph in the 2013/14 season under the stewardship of Kenny Jackett. They also surpassed the likes of Plymouth Argyle in 2023, Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United in 2017 and also Kevin Keegan’s big-spending Fulham team in 1999 before he subsequently was appointed England boss.
The St Andrew’s outfit boast an impeccable record of 32 wins from 44 matches, picking up nine draws in the process and only falling to defeat on three occasions. They have scored an impressive 80 goals and have only conceded 30 times making them the best offensive and defensive team in the division.
They are just one point away from breaking the EFL record points tally of 106 set by Reading in 2006 by Steve Coppell at Championship level. While they could still beat Doncaster Rovers' long-running record of 33 wins in a single season which was set back in 1947.
Chris Davies’ side have even managed to eclipse Pep Guardiola’s record for points in a single season in 2017/18 as he became the first top-flight coach to exceed the 100+ mark in the Premier League era.
David Prutton heaps praise on Chris Davies
Former Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Chris Prutton is convinced Birmingham City will be challenging for back-to-back promotions next season and believes a top six finish could be in the works.
Speaking to Football League World, Prutton explained: “Do you know what? I think so. They’ve tooled up going into this season, they’ve made mincemeat of League One, they seem to be a team in a hurry with ambitious ownership.”
The Sky Sports pundit, did, however, explain the risks that come with promotion and warned the club’s hierarchy to avoid the mistakes of the past. He added: “Yes, you’ve got to make sure the ambition doesn’t outstrip what the club can do, I think they have already learned from the handling of the Wayne Rooney situation, wanting a certain type of football that ultimately ended in relegation.
“So I don’t think they’ll set them up for that particular type of fall. But they will be a team in a hurry knowing who is in charge and knowing what riches and prestige are on offer in the Premier League.”
Which teams have achieved back-to-back promotions to the Premier League?
Birmingham City will hope to follow in the footsteps of Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town side, who climbed from League One to the Premier League in just two seasons between 2022 and 2024. Shrewd work in the transfer window enabled the Tractor Boys to finish above the likes of Leeds United and Southampton and put pressure on eventual winners Leicester City all the way until the final day of the season as they secured a second place finish.
Their Premier League adventure ended in relegation but the previous two teams to rise from the third-tier to the big time both managed to survive in Southampton from 2010 to 2012 under Nigel Adkins and Norwich City from 2009 to 2011 with Paul Lambert in charge.
Watford also climbed from League One to the Premier League under Graham Taylor but picked up just 24 points in the top-flight under the former England boss.