Patrick Roberts hasn’t played in Birmingham City’s last three games and Demarai Gray has been benched for Ibrahim Osman
Patrick Roberts of Birmingham City
Patrick Roberts and Demarai Gray were nailed on starters for Birmingham City before Christmas, but they have become fringe figures in recent weeks.
Not so long ago it was hard to imagine a line-up without the wide duo and they were pivotal in important Championship victories in 2025.
Roberts helped Sunderland earn promotion to the Premier League last season and his signing, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent in January, was well received by supporters.
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The 29-year-old has contributed five goals and five assists this season – only strikers Jay Stansfield and Marvin Ducksch have been more productive in the final third.
But the £7million acquisition of Spanish right-sider Carlos Vicente has cost Roberts his place in the starting XI.
Roberts hasn’t started an away game since January and he has been an unused substitute in the last three matches.
Explaining Roberts’ recent omissions, Blues manager Chris 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.”
Demarai Gray of Birmingham City
Gray is in a similar boat. With 10 goal contributions before Christmas, Gray was a contender for Blues’ Player of the Season award before a calf injury sustained on Boxing Day derailed his campaign.
The Premier League-winning winger hasn’t been able to regain his form and has been forced to watch on 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 which gives Gray the opportunity to finish the season at St Andrew’s on a high.
Davies, who coached Gray previously 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.”
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