Birmingham City's owners have made their ambitions clear, with plans for The Powerhouse and a vision to compete among English football's elite. After promotion from League One under Chris Davies, last season was a mixed bag as the club established itself in the Championship. With pre-season underway, expectations remain high, but fans are divided on whether the squad can challenge for promotion.
Transfer Activity So Far
Blues fans have seen measured progress in the transfer window, with centre-back Dael Fry joining from Middlesbrough and Jhon Solis completing a permanent transfer from Girona. James Beadle has returned for another season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. However, Chris Davies has seen Kai Wagner depart to Philadelphia Union, and speculation surrounds several first-team players. The squad is not crying out for numbers, but there is a screaming need for added quality and depth.
Fan Views on Promotion Chances
Ivan Williams said: "At the moment, with the same squad as last season, with outgoings and only one defender added, I'm looking at a mid-table finish." Clive Hill countered: "I think Chris Davis is a fine coach. The Championship is a tough league to get promoted from. If Birmingham play to their strengths, they should get into the play-offs." Richard Payne was pessimistic: "No chance, be lucky if we get 8th spot!! But don’t think we’d win the playoffs even if we do get the 8th spot! Need to try to be consistent and improve our away form!"
Stephen Oyewumi believes: "We have the squad to make the top 6 comfortably, but do we have the manager? Time will tell!!!" Ben Wallcroft predicted 13th, saying: "We haven’t improved the squad from last season, basically Wagner out, Fry in. Same (cheap) keeper, same manager with possession-based football ingrained in his coaching, same weak forward line & injury-prone full-backs." Steve Barton was blunt: "Not a cat in hell's chance... Unless we buy better players."
Ben Lynock said: "It's too soon to say, we don't know who is coming in or going out, losing Kai was a blow, we should definitely be thinking about playoffs this season at the least." Stephen Woodward questioned: "I thought we had 70 million in the kitty. Why are we getting loan players and those on a free?" Darren Richardson urged positivity: "I'll say it for the 100th time if you get in the right players who have the bit between their teeth. And go at every game with determination to win the world is their oyster."
Jonathon Richards said: "We're buying the same players we had last season, we’re in the same situation as last season." Sean Crocker predicted top 8, while Gerald Howles said: "I don’t think so. I would like to think so, we need a backup goalkeeper. I think things are slowing up at Blues." Jake Woodward added: "At the minute, no, our squad is currently worse than it was last season at the minute!! Hopefully, a few good signings come in, then anything is possible."
GJ Jones called for transfer activity and fan engagement: "Pre-season needs to ramp up on the transfer front, we need a few bodies in, plus the club needs to restart engaging with fans." Jimmy Byrne noted: "I think this year will be harder because of new teams in the division, other teams have spent some big money, and I don’t think our squad is any stronger than last year. The only thing that can save us is a change in tactics away from home." Karl Sands said: "See no reason why we can’t avoid relegation." Jonathan Shaw predicted midtable: "Defence is weak with a number of injury-prone players. What style of football will it be? Still don't see much creativity in that midfield to assist Stanno and Priske."
Paul Curnock said: "Unfortunately, not with the same coach and basically the same team as last season. We need a coaching structure that is more progressive, not a defensive side-to-side and back structure." Allison Chamber predicted mid-table mediocrity: "Chris Davis doesn’t have an attacking mentality. Also, I thought that towards the end of last season he had lost the dressing room." Steve Jarvis said: "If we can sort out our dreadful away form, we could be in with a chance. If we don't, our home form alone might not see us through." Paul Karim said: "Not a chance with our squad as it is now, quality players needed urgently."
Michael Stevens gave a detailed critique: "No chance. Squad is currently miles off it. We have 2 average goalkeepers, 1 left back that’s been injured for 2 years and the other that we aren’t sure of at this level, centre backs were fine, 1 right back that’s constantly injured and the other that wants out, 1 central midfielder that’s not back yet and needs shoulder surgery and out of the other 2 the manager thinks he’s a better right back, a left winger in Gray that blows hot and cold, 2 young strikers as the other 2 are off, right wing were fine. If Blues finish in the top 12, they’ve had a great season." William Cadd simply said: "Same old." Andrzej Bartnicki said: "No harm dreaming, is there." Mark Frost said: "At this point in time, we are weaker than we were last season, and we didn’t even threaten the playoffs. Need to see what the squad looks like when the transfer window closes before anyone can answer that question." Chris Hammond said: "League too strong this year. Need to realistically aim for 8th. Unless we bring in some big transfers, which doesn't currently look likely." Shane McCarthy was optimistic: "I think we will walk the league and have the title by 29th February." Will Goodwin said: "I don’t feel confident at the moment with the current manager and recruitment." Andy Stokes said: "Needs to recruit before that question can be answered."
Bookmakers' Odds
Bookmakers view Blues favourably, with average odds of 14-1 to win the Championship, making them sixth favourites. They are listed at 4-1 to gain promotion by any means. The odds suggest a strong outside chance, but the team must deliver on the pitch.
Manager's Perspective
At the end of last season, Davies said: "I think it's been a real season of real growth for us all." He added: "I'm convinced that under this ownership the club is going to do it. From my view, it's a division where Birmingham have recently really struggled to be competitive, so we need to make sure that we're competitive and grow from there."
Boardroom View
Chief executive Jeremy Dale said: "I have heard many of our fans say this has been a good year of consolidation. My reaction: Consolidation? You must be kidding. This has been a year of progress. We measure progress by more than our men’s first team. We posted record revenues for 2024/25 and I can assure you this year we’ve grown more than we even dreamed of." He also highlighted improvements at St Andrew’s: "A former employee recently returned to St Andrew’s and couldn’t believe what it looked like now. That former employee was Jude Bellingham and he loved seeing St Andrew’s as it is now."
Our Verdict
Blues must improve on tenth place this season. The Championship now offers two extra play-off places for teams 3-8, meaning a top-eight finish is essential to show progression. Chris Davies is under pressure to deliver, and the board must equip him with the necessary tools. Balancing the books is challenging, but the club's future depends on on-pitch success. The fans are right to dream of the play-offs, and nothing less will be acceptable.
