Demarai Gray converted an injury-time penalty to earn Birmingham City a 2-2 draw with Bristol City in their first home match of the season. The 30-year-old winger, in his second season since returning to the club after a decade away, stepped up with August Priske off the field to secure a point for Chris Davies' side.
Blues had only two shots on target against the Robins and needed an own goal and Gray's spot-kick to avoid defeat. The result followed two commendable away performances, but the flat team display at St Andrew's highlighted the need for greater attacking output.
Gray's limited minutes so far
Gray is yet to start any of the three competitive games this season, having played only 71 minutes across three substitute appearances. He scored four goals in pre-season before a knock interrupted what was shaping up to be an excellent summer.
“It set me back four or five days, I obviously missed the Barcelona game, but I felt good this preseason,” Gray said. “It’s been a while since I've had a full preseason because I've had international tournaments the last few years.”
“I've been happy to be able to get that under my belt and I feel fit, I feel strong, performance wise I felt like I played good. I think I scored four in the four games. So I've been raring to go and I haven't started a competitive game yet but obviously when I'm called upon I'll always be ready.”
Sixth goal since returning to St Andrew's
Gray's goal is his sixth since coming back to St Andrew's and his first since December, when an injury derailed his positive start to the previous campaign. With Davies saying Blues need to increase their output to challenge for promotion this term, the Jamaica international is acutely aware of how he can help.
“I need to start first,” he said. “Obviously it gives me more of a chance to score more, but like I said, if I'm not starting and my job's to come off the bench, I'll do what I can do.”
“I apply myself in training the right way, I'm never happy to not be starting. I think I'm a player that needs rhythm and momentum and just the confidence, so yeah, I make sure I'm training properly and make sure my body's right and when it's time for me to come on I'll always try and impact the game the best way possible.”
Penalty responsibility
Gray took the spot-kick in the dying moments with Priske, who scored two penalties in pre-season, having been replaced by Luis Vazquez. “Sometimes you're nervous, sometimes you're not, I wasn't nervous today, I was pretty cool and calm. I wanted it as soon as we got it,” Gray said.
“I think August is our main penalty taker so I looked around to see if anyone else takes penalties, but I was happy to take responsibility and yeah, I was cool and calm.”
The draw leaves Birmingham City with four points from their opening three Championship fixtures, and the debate over whether Gray should start will continue as the season progresses.
