Analysis – BBC Radio WM’s Richard Wilford
Whatever way you look at it, a League One side forking out what is reportedly an eight-figure fee for a player is an extravagance.
And in the case of Jay Stansfield, he was the 17th and final new addition to the squad of first-year manager Chris Davies – a change of personnel, a change of style and a change of culture.
While the pursuit of Stansfield was lingering and ultimately very expensive, the overall revolution has been methodical and purposeful.
It is designed not just to bring promotion but to then re-establish the club in the Championship and beyond.
Sales have been made too, and revenue streams greatly enhanced under owners Knighthead.
But expectation has grown exponentially and Blues’ League One rivals will be even keener to take them down a peg or two.