Birmingham impress as West Ham establish themselves among Championship favourites

The Blues are enjoying a strong spell and West Ham have made a statement in the Championship. Andy Hinchcliffe turns to both sides in his new Sky Sports column, “The Championship Catch-up”, which surveys some of the second tier’s key stories. His assessment sets Birmingham’s transformation under Chris Davies alongside the confidence West Ham have shown.

Hinchcliffe believes Davies deserves much of the credit for Birmingham’s progress. He says he had seen potential in the team before, but that the manager’s work over the summer is now evident. The column also points to a change in style and new signings settling in quickly as factors making a difference this season. Hinchcliffe says several people he has spoken with regard Birmingham as the league’s most enjoyable team to watch and one of its most dangerous attacking sides. He also notes that many players dropping down from the Premier League do not want to play in this division.

The changes go beyond the arrivals. Davies had spoken for some time about wanting to sign a particular player, Hinchcliffe says, but had not managed to complete the deal before now. The coach has also had to adjust his approach: Hinchcliffe argues that he could not simply repeat the same formula and hope for a better outcome, and needed another option. The contrast between the team last season and the side now, in his view, shows the scale of the transformation.

West Ham is the other main focus of the column. Hinchcliffe acknowledges that Swansea were not far off, but believes West Ham have again demonstrated their considerable attacking talent. The team have rarely looked vulnerable this season, and he sees no sign of a sudden collapse. The players appear to have embraced their situation, as have their supporters, who are travelling in large numbers. As Hinchcliffe puts it, they have chosen to “enjoy this season rather than endure it”.

West Ham have had things fall into place so far, but Hinchcliffe says the team have also helped make their own luck through their approach to each match. He would have considered them favourites even in eighth or ninth place; now he sees them among the contenders for the title. Birmingham are drawing attention for their progress, while West Ham, in his view, have established themselves in the title race.