Chris Davies has shed his previous hesitations about rotating Birmingham City’s squad, acknowledging that he once overworked key players. With six new signings bolstering the team during the January transfer window, Davies now enjoys a wealth of options across all positions.
The abundance of wingers, including Demarai Gray, Patrick Roberts, Ibrahim Osman, and Carlos Vicente, exemplifies the increased strength in depth at the club. This depth gives Davies the freedom to rotate players strategically without fearing a significant drop in performance.
Reflecting on his past approach, Davies told BBC Radio WM, “I probably flogged some players too much and they probably lost their efficiency. Now, I don’t feel that there’s a big drop off when I make changes.”
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Looking ahead to a demanding series of matches against in-form Norwich City, Millwall, and Middlesbrough, Davies feels comfortable adopting a flexible lineup strategy. He plans to tailor his selections based on the opposition, game circumstances, and players' energy levels.
“These players offer different profiles,” Davies explained. “Vicente is a bit different to Patrick, Priske is different to Stansfield, and Osman contrasts with Dimmy. Using them at the right time is crucial.”
The encouraging performance against Premier League side Leeds United in the recent FA Cup tie, where Birmingham pushed the match to penalties after 120 minutes, has given Davies further confidence. Key players like Ryan Allsop, Jonathan Panzo, and August Priske impressed, giving the manager additional options and food for thought.
With players returning from injury and the squad’s size growing, Davies is mindful of maintaining high energy levels throughout the demanding fixtures ahead. “We’ve fallen short at times in terms of energy levels, so getting that right is essential,” he stated.
Ultimately, Davies believes his deeper, more versatile squad can sustain intensity over the full 90 to 100 minutes, with every player engaged and focused on each game.