Viv Solomon-Otabor’s Debut

Viv Solomon-Otabor made his full debut this week coming into the side to replace Gray amongst speculation about his future in the upcoming January transfer window.

Viv was, in my view, a little bit too keen to impress at the start. He had been given an opportunity and was so eager to take it that he was just trying to do too much.

This view was also reiterated by his manager Gary Rowett on the official Birmingham City website.
‘Viv was probably a little bit nervous at first, he was trying too hard…Perhaps he played up against him too much and I said that to him…Second-half he did that and worked incredibly hard.’

I echo the opinion of our manager entirely. As he settled into the game he focused on doing the basics and he did them very effectively. Sometimes, it is easy for a player to work hard but not achieve a great deal however this was not the case with Solomon-Otabor. He gave his all it and shows how dedicated he is to the club which is always lovely to see. I’d rather a player try too hard than not enough.

I also like Rowett’s approach. He has said that because Viv has done so well in training and when he has been given opportunities in games he has flourished, so he deserves a start. It is on form and attitude so anyone can play. This mentality will always mean that players work hard in training in order to gain a match spot.

‘He tends to do what we ask him to do. He’s a very selfless player,’ were Rowett’s summary of Viv and this is just what is needed. He clearly listens and takes on board what the staff say and if he continues to do this, then I am sure he will be very successful.

‘Definitely I would like to be involved more.’ These are the words of the youngster after the game as he spoke to the official site. It shows how keen he is and especially with Cotterill (coming back from injury) and Gray with an illness, he may have an opportunity. It’s a shame for the lad that Maghoma is also hitting form.
Gary Rowett was supposed to have said ‘well done, let’s hope it’s the first of many’ to Viv after the game which is obviously very positive and will keep his confidence high.

Will he start against Brentford? I hope so. We need pace especially if the full backs are Grounds or Caddis because they’re not the quickest. So I’d love to see him start.