Birmingham City’s 2-1 win over Stoke matches record from last season - and it’s only November

Birmingham City soared into the top half of the Sky Bet Championship table on Saturday with a 2-1 victory away at Stoke City. Over 2,000 travelling supporters were treated with true delight as goals from Scott Hogan and Harlee Dean earned their side all three points.

Blues only had 38% of the ball at the Bet365 Stadium but they were far more clinical than the home side. John Ruddy put on yet another brilliant performance in between the sticks, making six saves as the Potters peppered Birmingham’s goal with seven shots on target.

Saturday’s win takes Blues to 11th place in the league standings, just four points away from the playoff spots. It was the seventh of the season in 19 matches - and crucially a fourth away victory of the campaign.

This particular statistic is of real importance, as four away wins is in fact all Birmingham managed in the entirety of last season. It’s taken 13 fewer games on the road this time around and it highlights just how much of an improvement there has been.

John Eustace has got his team playing with immense confidence and the sky really could be the limit for them this term. It’s hard not to get carried away, especially with both of the games left before the World Cup taking place at home.

First up, Blues welcome promotion chasers Swansea City to St Andrew’s on Tuesday - and it’s perhaps one of the best times to play them as their good form has been halted of late. Despite winning five of their first six games in October, the Swans haven’t been victorious in any of their previous three outings.

Blues’ final match before the international break is next Friday, against the newly-promoted Sunderland. The Black Cats have been somewhat of a surprise package this campaign but have lost three of their last five. Just like Swansea, they could be there for the taking.

With all this in mind, the matching of last season’s away wins total may not be the only milestone to come in the early stages of this. If Birmingham claim three points in both of their next two, they will solidify themselves in the top 10 before some much-needed time off, exceeding any - and all - expectations.