Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has explained the recent omissions of Patrick Roberts and Demarai Gray, while revealing he held talks with Gray ahead of the weekend's match against Bristol City.
Roberts and Gray were automatic starters for the Blues before Christmas, but have become peripheral figures in recent weeks. Not long ago, it was difficult to imagine a lineup without the wide duo, who were instrumental in key Championship victories in 2025.
Roberts' absence explained
Roberts helped Sunderland secure promotion to the Premier League last season, and his arrival at Birmingham City—initially on loan before the move was made permanent in January—was warmly welcomed by supporters. The 29-year-old has contributed five goals and five assists this season, with only strikers Jay Stansfield and Marvin Ducksch proving more productive in the final third.
However, the £7 million acquisition of Spanish right-sided player Carlos Vicente has cost Roberts his place in the starting lineup. Roberts has not started an away game since January and has been an unused substitute in the last three matches.
Explaining Roberts' recent exclusions, Davies said: "Carlos has been in games where they've been quite tight and he's lasted really well. Sometimes with wingers, you can see their legs are going and you think we need freshness, but Carlos seems to be able to go and go and go.
"Often we've had situations where he's had a big defensive job and I haven't wanted to change that because he's a slightly different profile to Pat, and I haven't really wanted to take him off. But Pat has had big moments for us. I've not forgotten what Pat can do and I'm sure we'll see Pat on the pitch between now and the end of the season.
"If you want to open something up when it's tight and have that creativity, especially with a leftie on the right, Pat's our man. We've just got to use him at the right times. He's been patient. He wants to play, of course, but I'm sure he'll get that chance before the end of the season."
Gray's situation
Gray finds himself in a similar predicament. With 10 goal contributions before Christmas, he was a contender for the club's Player of the Season award before a calf injury sustained on Boxing Day derailed his campaign. The Premier League-winning winger has been unable to regain his form and has watched from the sidelines as Ibrahim Osman has made the left-wing position his own.
Osman will miss Saturday's game against Bristol City due to concussion, presenting Gray with an opportunity to finish the season at St Andrew's on a high. Davies, who previously coached Gray at Leicester City, said: "I spoke to Dimmy at length about this this week. I know Dimmy when he's at his best and he's feeling great, confident, strong, and he's got the ability to play regardless, but you really know when he's at his top form.
"Since his injury he hasn't found the same rhythm because Osman has been in a bit more and he hasn't had the games he had before. He will benefit from an off-season but I've challenged him to go and have a really strong finish to this season.
"Osman isn't available for this game so it presents the perfect opportunity for Dimmy to show what he can do. He's got quality, really good quality, and I know he's really keen to finish on a high. At the start of the season it was Dimmy and Pat all the way. We didn't really have many other options and they both contributed a lot, and we haven't forgotten that."
