Boss Mick McCarthy says the Blues have come a long way in the year since their last visit to Turf Moor, despite Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley ending Town’s hopes of making the play-offs. Michael Kightly netted the game’s only goal nine minutes after the break.
Town lost 2-0 away against the Clarets on the last day of 2012/13 having confirmed their Championship status for another season the previous week.
"We played Birmingham last year with two games to play and we weren’t safe. As it turned out we were mathematically, but we didn’t know that at the time,” McCarthy recalled.
"We came here on the final day chilled because we’d survived. This year we came looking for three points to get in the play-offs.
"We all know it’s a big turnaround but I’m still disappointed because I think we were capable of getting in the top six.”
McCarthy says there wasn’t a lot between Town and Burnley, who were handed the Championship runners-up trophy and medals on the pitch after Saturday’s match, in either of their two games this season. The Clarets recorded their first ever double over the Blues by winning both 1-0.
"There wasn’t at home,” he remembered. "I guess the difference was that they managed to keep a clean sheet there and they’ve managed to do it here, and they’ve managed to get a goal. It was Scott Arfield at our place and it was Michael Kightly here. It’s fine, fine margins.”
He says that on one front Clarets boss Sean Dyche had an option which wasn't open to him: "I’ve not complained bitterly about it but I think what was nice for them was that in the January window when they lost Sam Vokes they could take Ashley Barnes [from Brighton] and he’s been a really good foil for Danny Ings.
"I know Danny Ings got injured as well but they replaced [Vokes]. We lost a really good player, David McGoldrick, that we’ve not been able to replace, and that does make a difference.”
He says his team had opportunities to go in front in the first half on Saturday with Tommy Smith having a header cleared off the line: "And Frazer Richardson had a chance at the far post.
"I thought we played well,” he added, before outlining his approach to what was a must-win game for the Blues after Brighton’s victory over now-relegated Yeovil on Friday.
"We had our chances and it’s not about coming here and having to win, you win it doing it the way you’ve won all the games all season long. I thought we did all right, we’ve just conceded a goal which has cost us.
"You could see why they got promoted. We were having the best of it when they scored, we made one mistake, just a missed tackle and it ended up in the back of our net.”
Having ended 2012/13 on 60 points and in 14th place, Town currently have 65 points and are 10th with Sheffield Wednesday's visit next Saturday the campaign's only remaining fixture.
The Blues have averaged 1.44 points a match this season, slightly below the 1.61 picked up per game from November 1st - when McCarthy took over as boss - last term.
Meanwhile, midfielder Stephen Hunt says he wants to stay with Town next season with his contract up this summer.
"Hard to take today, am sure players will come back stronger next season. Big chance missed but players are pleasure to play with. Thanks to all,” the 32-year-old Irish international tweeted after Saturday’s game."By the way, I hope I'm here next season 100 per cent.”