As Blues prepare for life back in the Championship, there’s growing anticipation about how far this team can go under Chris Davies’ leadership. Their success this season has been built on a strong, reliable core—players who delivered when it mattered most.
00:00As Birmingham City prepare for life back in the Championship, attention has swiftly turned to whether the club will have the financial firepower to truly compete.
00:13After a dominant League One campaign, expectations are high, but stepping up to a level brings with it far greater demands, both on and off the pitch.
00:22This summer will be crucial while the club's American ownership has shown ambition. Championship success often hinges on balancing smart investment with sustainability.
00:33With the wage bill set to rise in several areas of the squad needing reinforcement, the recruitment team will face a test in the market.
00:41We spoke to Charlie Haffenden of Birmingham World to assess the situation at St Andrews.
00:46He notes a sense of excitement among fans, but also realism. Birmingham need to get their business right, both financially and tactically, if they're to make a genuine impact next season.
01:00Yeah, just on the Championship, obviously, you know, a lot of clubs, even just to tread water, have to spend millions every campaign.
01:07And, you know, there's no secret that investment does get you far in today's game.
01:12But in terms of their summer, how do they approach the Championship?
01:15How do you see them going about their spending?
01:19Because, you know, with them and Wrexham as well, obviously joining them with promotion, you know, these owner situations, it could affect them in terms of they've got to be a bit more careful in the Championship next season.
01:31And to ensure that they are, you know, keeping within compliance and, you know, really going for what could be a fantastic season for them.
01:39Absolutely. I think the investment will continue in the summer, potentially a new striker.
01:44I know that Alfie May played fantastically in League One at times, maybe a little bit inconsistent this season, but probably not strong enough to be in the Championship week in, week out.
01:54The same could probably be said for Lyndon Dykes as well, though he's had lots of injury problems.
01:58We've not quite seen the best of him just yet.
02:00You might be thinking, what about Jay Stansfield?
02:02But I think he plays quite well as a number 10 or just wide off the left or right, or maybe even a two-striker formation if Chris Davies wants to switch things up.
02:11Maybe an attacking midfielder as well.
02:13Willem Willemsen has had patches of form, actually recently been playing very well, but at the turn of the year had two or three months where he really struggled for his form.
02:22Maybe they could find someone who can compete with him.
02:25I think in the wide areas as well, there's been talk of Peterborough United's Kwame Poku to add a little bit more pace and flair at attacks.
02:32So the investment will probably happen and they've got the money to do it.
02:36A couple of months ago, I didn't think it'd be possible to spend, as they did in League One, again in this summer.
02:42But it turns out, as per the owner, Tom Wagner, that they're going to have one of the best revenues in the entire Championship behind the teams that have been recently relegated from the Premier League anyway.
02:53Blues will be able to match those in the playoff fight.
02:56So I think they can go on and spend, not as much as they want, but a decent chunk again and make sure that they are ready to get promoted in the next couple of years.
03:05Yeah, just looking at the player ratings throughout the season, there's so many above seven, which is unbelievable across an entire campaign.
03:13Who do you feel is the player of the season for Blues or a standout player that maybe fans will go towards or, you know, just that you've really been impressed every time that you've watched them?
03:23Because, I mean, throughout the side, there seems like the consistency levels, you know, to produce, you know, winning mentality, winning attitudes every week, you know, Saturday, Tuesday as well, at the very height of it, has been incredibly impressive from Davies' side.
03:38Yeah, there are two names that spring to mind immediately for me. The first one, Tomoki Iwata in midfield, signing from Celtic. A lot of talk in Scotland as he's got the capability to perform at the highest level consistently.
03:52He's absolutely done that for Chris Davies in midfield. In that midfield double pivot, alongside Paik Sung-ho or Malk Leonard, whatever's been preferred at the time, typically Paik, Iwata has really shone through.
04:03He's scored some important goals as well, many of which have been outside the box, some very memorable moments there, an absolute stunner against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.
04:13He's just such an important player, not just his goal scoring, but his overall play in midfield, helping dictate possession, playing one-twos, his awareness.
04:20He also breaks up the play. Clara would, I think, head a brick. I asked him at Wrexham away earlier in the season whether he would do that, and he said he absolutely would,
04:29and he'd do anything for this team and his football club, and that he's committed to the project.
04:33You've got to remember as well, he left the German Bundesliga to go to League One.
04:37It was a massive risk he took, but it seems as if it's paid off, as he's now a big fan favourite at St Andrews.
