Exclusive: Sky pundit reveals "massive" Birmingham City factor that is "like having an extra player" | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie feels that the support of a crowd is a major factor in any team's success

With Birmingham's promotion back to the Championship confirmed, it's almost a matter of time before the Bluesare confirmed as champions of League One, and they're two games away from being unbeaten at home throughout the entire season.

If Chris Davies' side were to avoid defeat against Crawley Town and Mansfield Town, they would become the first team to go a full 46-game season without a defeat at home since the 2018/19 season.

St Andrew's Stadium has been at capacity almost every matchday this season, with Birmingham City supporters turning out at an average of 26,631 per game to see one of the most dominant third-tier sides in history play and, barring a few errant draws, win.

The fans of Birmingham City are clearly back onside, and former Aston Villa midfielder and current EFL pundit, Lee Hendrie, feels that this will need to continue for the club to mount a second successive promotion charge next season.

Birmingham City need to retain fanfare from impressive League One campaign

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, EFL pundit Lee Hendrie feels that having a loud, passionate fanbase is the key to success for any club, especially Birmingham City.

"The support for them next season will be massive for them," he said.

"This season's been a reset for them, with them dropping out of the Championship and therefore having to reset and restructure. The owners have come in and invested and they've been the best side in League One, no doubt about it.

"You'd expect them to invest again next season and bring in the right calibre of players to push them again for success, but I always say that the fans are a key factor when things are going well.

"The support they've had this season shows that they've got the fans back onside, and it's exactly what they'll want next season too.

"It's like having an extra player on the pitch, so they'll be as important as they have been over many seasons for the football club."

Birmingham City's home support is on the up - but it has been since last season

Birmingham City are on track to achieve their highest average attendance throughout the season since their Premier League days back in the mid-naughties.

Since SCL completed their takeover in July 2023, home support has been on the up at St Andrew's. Last season, Birmingham City were relegated in part to their dire away form (the 2nd-worst in the league) rather than the results obtained at home, where they placed 9th.

Birmingham brought in over 20,000 people per game in the 2023/24 season for the first time since the pandemic, and it seems that the number will only continue to push higher towards capacity as long as the club continues to improve on the pitch.

Chris Davies will be hoping for a similar record at home next season to that which we saw the last time they were in the Championship, as well as a much improved away record to put them in a position to challenge further up the table.