### Blues Must Heed Warning from Sunderland and Ipswich to Avoid Languishing in League One After Relegation

The summer transfer window is crucial for Birmingham City’s promotion hopes as rivals like Rotherham strengthen. The signing of Allsop offers hope for the Blues’ promotion prospects, but more quality additions are needed to compete.

Former Birmingham City midfielder Darren Anderton has issued a warning following the club’s relegation, urging the Blues to learn from Sunderland and Ipswich to bounce straight back to the Championship.

Before Wayne Rooney’s disastrous tenure last season, Birmingham occupied a play-off spot under John Eustace in October. Many Blues supporters believe their club should not have ended up in League One. However, recent years have shown that the third tier is challenging for teams unaccustomed to relegation.

Sunderland, for instance, were relegated from the Championship in 2018, just one year after dropping out of the Premier League, and took until 2022 to return to the second tier. Meanwhile, Ipswich Town, now on a positive trajectory under Kieran McKenna, will compete in next season’s top-flight following back-to-back promotions, but they spent four years in League One after their 2019 relegation from the Championship.

Anderton warns Birmingham

Anderton believes Birmingham’s ownership group must heed Sunderland and Ipswich’s examples, recognizing the difficulty of bouncing straight back to the Championship. Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he said, “You need to earn the right to get promoted. If you take anything for granted, it could be a tough season. However, with the right attitude, support from the ownership and the fans, the team can start the season quickly and, with good confidence, push on and enjoy a successful season.”

A successful start could see Birmingham in the mix for League One promotion, but as Anderton noted, they cannot take this for granted, and the strength of the third tier should not be underestimated.

Despite a woeful Championship season last term, Rotherham United are expected to push for a return to the second tier given their impressive track record in League One. Teams like Peterborough United and Bolton Wanderers, who landed play-off spots in 2023/24, are also unlikely to fade from the promotion picture. Huddersfield Town will also seek a promotion bid following their relegation from the Championship, giving Birmingham plenty of competition in their quest for glory.

### Summer Transfer Window Vital for Birmingham

Promotion contenders Rotherham have been particularly busy in the transfer market, and Birmingham will need to conduct successful business this summer to challenge for a place in the 2025/26 Championship season.

So far, Birmingham has made one signing: former Hull City goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, who made 37 Championship appearances for the Tigers last season. His pedigree bolsters the Blues’ promotion chances, and the St Andrew’s faithful hope his signature is a sign of more quality additions to come.