Bright Osayi-Samuel, the Nigerian international and Birmingham City full-back, has been remarkably self-critical about his performances since joining the club. He openly acknowledges a difficult debut season, where issues with fitness and form led then-manager Chris Davies to consider other options for the right-back position.
In contrast, Osayi-Samuel’s second season has seen a significant upturn. Having taken the initiative to work with private fitness coaches for three weeks prior to pre-season, he has developed into an indispensable part of a now settled defence.
This transformation comes from a willingness to self-reflect and learn from criticism, often with input from his father, who attends all his matches and reviews his performances alongside him.
“After each game, my dad and I watch the footage. He’s been like that since I was young,” said Osayi-Samuel. “I’ve learned that being critical of myself is essential. You can’t settle; you have to believe you can always improve.”
This approach appears to be paying off. Osayi-Samuel has played the full 90 minutes in six of Birmingham City’s seven matches this season – surpassing the eight complete matches he managed throughout the entirety of the previous campaign. His form has garnered praise from supporters, who are increasingly recognising his contributions on the pitch.
“The more I play, the more confident I become,” Osayi-Samuel continued. “As I get more minutes, I feel more at home and better able to show what I can do. Honestly, I don’t think I showed half the player I was last year.
“It was confusing because I performed well at the Africa Cup of Nations, being one of the top players there, so it was frustrating not to replicate that at club level. Now, I’m working on delivering a consistent standard. Last season I had some strong games followed by weaker ones. This year, my aim is consistency, and the rest will follow.”
The team’s tactical adjustments have also suited his style. “We have different ways to play now. If we need to go long, we do, but we’re also capable of playing out.”
Osayi-Samuel’s defensive partnership with Phil Neumann has been a standout feature of Birmingham’s back line, providing stability after a season of frequent changes. Fans have even created a chant celebrating Neumann, which Osayi-Samuel admits sticks in his mind.
“Sometimes the manager asks me to press forward, which can leave spaces, but knowing Phil is quick and strong gives me confidence he’s covering. We both know how much we’ve improved since last season, and the connection is going well-though consistency remains our goal.”
Notably, Osayi-Samuel’s defensive capabilities have developed despite originally being known as a winger, somewhat reluctant to track back.
“The change came during my time at Fenerbahce when an injury forced me into a defensive role. I always had pace and defensive instincts, but it wasn’t until I played at right-back that I realised my potential,” he recalled.
His national team debut, playing right-back against Portugal, was a turning point. “I marked Nuno Mendes and stopped him from getting past me. That made me realise this position is one where I can improve and excel.”
Though he acknowledges he still has aspects to work on, such as positioning, Osayi-Samuel’s commitment to adapting and improving remains evident. And if he ever loses focus, he knows his father will keep him grounded.
Birmingham City fans will be hoping this newfound maturity and consistency continue to strengthen the team’s defence throughout the season.