Romelle Donovan isn’t the only Birmingham City youngster impressing Chris Davies.
Chris Davies trimmed half of Birmingham City’s young players for Wednesday’s triumph over Solihull Moors.
Some were unfortunate, such as 18-year-old striker Frank Tattum, who was injured during a warm-up match in Austria, while others were merely demoted to the under-21s. Davies no longer requires such a huge group of kids now that new players have arrived and Krystian Bielik, Tyler Roberts, and Siriki Dembele’s ailments have healed.
He has kept some on the first team for extended opportunity to shine. Romelle Donovan has progressed beyond the trial level, having been trusted to start against the Moors and publicly complimented by Davies afterwards.
“With all the attacking players I try and enforce that it’s the work without the ball, we call it counter-pressing, when you lose it you react, and he does that really well,” Donovan’s manager Davies stated. “I’ve been particularly impressed with his tenacity in the game. He is not a luxury player, as some excellent young players are. He is not that at all. He wants to work, will work, and is tenacious. He clearly possesses excellent ball-handling abilities.
“There’s plenty of development still with him, in terms of the decisions he’s making on the ball, but he’s had a really good two-and-a-half weeks.”
Four other people have the opportunity to impress. Brandon Khela is in the mix, and reports from training indicate that Davies has taken a liking to the 19-year-old. Khela is adaptable, as demonstrated by his substitution at centre-back against the Moors, strong technically and physically, and has a positive mentality.
Josh Home, the under-21 captain, is an alternative midfield option. He is a slick operator in the middle of the park with a strong build that allows him to contend without possession. Khela and Home are waiting in line behind Paik Seung-ho and Jordan James, both of whom have dubious futures with Blues.
Now to the defense, where Byron Pendleton and Tommy Fogarty have been given opportunities due to a lack of players. Pendleton is a combative full-back who has plenty of energy to move up and down. The fact that he was given his first professional contract when he was only 17 demonstrates how highly the Blues value him.
Fogarty benefited from a loan spell with National League club Ebbsfleet and has returned to pre-season looking fitter and stronger than ever. The 20-year-old now has the build of a League One centre back. He was introduced at half-time against Moors and impressed in what became a makeshift back four by the finish of the game.
