Birmingham City’s Demarai Gray has revealed that he believes he has improved in all areas of his game, ahead of the new Sky Bet Championship season.
Gray has been talking to bcfc.com, where he spoke about THAT breakthrough pre-season tour, in Ireland, Cork. Lee Clark took his players away to Ireland to prepare for last season and found Gray to be one he had to include in the squad.
The youngster himself admitted he did not expect last season to go as well as it did, given that the Championship is such a tough league. He accepted the consistency, at times, was not there, but wasn’t too hard on himself and seemed confident he was ready for this season.
Given the increasing speculation about, Gray. Colin Tattum asked him what he did to remain focused throughout the season, and it was revealed that not only was Gary Rowett keeping him on track but also his family played a big roll in keeping his head down.
A similar situation as to what was going on with Nathan Redmond when he was at the club, as we’ve seen in the past, a strong and committed family behind a player always plays a really important role in development.
As I wrote in an article previously, Gray did have a good season but had some way to go before becoming an important team player, his goals and assists were somewhat lacking for a player surrounded with so much hype.
Gray recognised this as well, saying that his development last season has helped him become more of a team player. He wants more goals and more assists this time out. Repeatedly stressing how important it is to help the team. If he can take those words and put them into performances we may see an incredible player out on that wing.
Now to the article headline, Gray insists that he sees no reason why the team can’t push to break the top 6. Although no small feet, by any means, Gray is confident in the ‘good bunch of lads’ at the club and wants to only think about bettering 10th place.
There is a positive mood among the camp, that will either give them a boost to the start of the season or quickly dissipate if we have a slow start and we may well come back down to earth, talking of the budget and all sorts of qualifications to it.
You can place me in the optimist camp, anywhere from 6th – 12th and I will be very happy with the progress the club has made. But there is the hope in me that wants to see a Rowett team take the league by surprise.
Vital Birmingham credit the author and owner of this work as Birmingham City Football Club
Source – bcfc.com
