BRUM'S RUSH TO MAKE THE PREM

CHRIS DAVIES' idea of fun in some of his brief summer downtime was to go through the past 100 teams to win promotion from the third tier.

- ALAN SMITH

That only five had achieved a consecutive elevation to the promised land made it clear that Birmingham City face a daunting task, irrespective of their momentum.

Excitement is sky-high at St Andrew's ahead of tonight's return to the Championship, and this is a club justifiably feeling good about itself after romping to the League One title with a record 111 points.

Backed by an ownership group that are meeting big promises with action, Davies' squad has improved, the latest addition being Werder Bremen striker Marvin Ducksh.