Gray Could be Middle Man

Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett has been working hard to assemble a balanced and competitive squad for the forthcoming season. He admits he is still looking to strengthen ‘certain areas` and it is understood that one of two signings are ‘very close`.

But one position the manager need not worry about is wide midfield. Blues have an array of competition in this area of the team with Jacques Maghoma adding to an already strong berth.

Rowett has statistically one of the Championship`s most productive players last season in David Cotterill, a young star in Demarai Gray, a raw but talented Koby Arthur and new boy Maghoma at his disposal. Letting Mark Duffy go out on loan was evidence that Rowett is happy with the strength out wide.

The formation of Rowett`s choice last season was 4-2-3-1 which relied heavily on wide areas which is the reason why competition for places was so vital. The supply lines to the wide players was pivotal in the set-up which is why the loan of Robert Tesche was so successful sitting alongside another ball-playing player in Stephen Gleeson.

It`ll be interesting to watch the battle for places develop. With Cotterill seemingly a mainstay in the team and Maghoma looking to prove himself, does Rowett have plans to play Gray through the middle? Andy Shinnie was a regular there until the arrival of Diego Fabbrini and thrived from the competition. It is very unlikely that Fabbrini will return which could pave the way for Gray to play in the hole.

Gray possesses lightning pace which makes him a threat in any attacking area. Whereas Shinnie offers movement and intelligence, Gray offers speed and unpredictability and versatility. As we have witnessed with Jonathan Spector, versatility can be a key tool in a manager`s toolbox.

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