It’s only been six months since Birmingham were relegated from the Championship to League One but they’ve already made English third-tier history.
Blues broke the division’s transfer record three times in the most recent window, blowing title and promotion rivals out of the water with between £20 million and £25 million’s worth of summer spending. The squad has been completely overhauled with such an unprecedented cash injection for this level and it’s paid off so far.
Second in the League One standings, two points behind leaders Wycombe Wanderers and with a game in hand, Birmingham are sitting comfortably. The quality of personnel is above and beyond that of every opponent but there’s still needed to be an adjustment period to a new era at the football club.
New manager Chris Davies has done a great job at instilling his high-tempo philosophy early doors, ensuring his players are the fittest in the division. Davies has incredibly high standards that will no doubt hold Birmingham in good stead for many years to come; beyond League One and into the Championship the hope for the equally ambitious ownership.
It’s not all roses for the clubs taking on Blues each week, however, as not one team can even dream of getting close to competing on a financial level. Whether it be employing dark arts, firing out of the blocks quickly or sitting deep and countering, Birmingham’s opponents have had to get inventive to even have a chance of a positive result.
Just one side - Charlton Athletic - have been able to overthrow Blues thus far and the scary thing is Davies’ men are yet to get up to full speed just yet. It’s difficult to see any other club winning the title than Birmingham - and that’s certainly riled up a few managers up and down the division.
To get a gauge of how Blues’ opponents so far have felt, we’ve collated the key quotes from their managers either before or after their clashes with Birmingham. Flick through the pages for a full run-through.
5. Shaun Maloney (Blues 2-1 Wigan Athletic)
"I think when you look at what they've done in the window this season, I don't know if that's been seen in this league before. That shouldn't come across as a negative because it has been our club, it has been Wigan two or three times in this league that's outspent everyone, went big and blown the league away, so it's Birmingham's time now.” | Getty Images
6. Phil Parkinson (Blues 3-1 Wrexham)
“It was almost like let Birmingham sign all the players they want and everyone else will look at what else is out there. No one can compete in this division with Birmingham. It would be madness for us - as we’re on a journey to be sustainable as a football club - to say we could compete with Birmingham’s spending, it’s impossible.” | Getty Images
7. Steve Evans (Rotherham United 0-2 Blues)
“They are a £25 million team with wages to match. Our season will not be defined by our games against them. I said when I came away on Monday that they're a team capable of 100 points. That was further endorsed today.” | Getty Images
8. Darren Ferguson (Blues 3-2 Peterborough United)
“I said before the game, and I meant it, I feel the relegation has been the best thing to happen to this club. It’s galvanised everyone, they have brought in a good coach, the place is flying now and they are going to have a right go at getting out of the league first time. The best thing that could have happened to Birmingham has actually happened.” | Getty Images