Stoke City v Birmingham City: Claim made on Patrick Roberts situation - "I'd be surprised" | OneFootball

Birmingham City enjoyed an impressive showing in the transfer market

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City have kicked off their 2025/26 campaign in decent fashion following a mesmeric summer of recruitment.

Blues have enjoyed victories over Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United but suffered defeat last time out at Leicester City.

Expectations for Chris Davies’ men were unusually high for a side promoted out of League One, but that highlights just how ambitious owner Tom Wagner’s plans are for the club.

Players such as Kyogo Furuhashi, Demarai Gray and Tommy Doyle all made high-profile moves to St. Andrew’s during the summer, and with the other signings they got over the line, many tipped Birmingham for a push towards the play-offs.

Deadline day saw Blues complete the signing of Patrick Roberts from Sunderland on loan, who provides an experienced option for Davies on the flank.

Questions do surround whether Roberts can improve the output he displayed at the Stadium of Light with the Second City side, but his talent and quality are guaranteed.

Birmingham’s wealth of attacking options could allow one to ponder over where the former Manchester City prospect will slot into the starting 11, or if he may have to settle for a role on the bench to start with.

Football League World’s Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, believes that Roberts may have to bide his time before cementing his place in Davies’ team.

Patrick Roberts not predicted to make Birmingham City starting XI yet

“He is definitely something that we were desperate for,” stated Jason. “An out-and-out winger in their natural position.

“I don't know if he goes straight into the starting XI. I'm trying to think what Chris Davies will do. Roberts will probably come more inside as he plays.

“I don't think he will start straight away against Stoke. I'd be surprised if he did, purely because Davies is very set in his ways.

“I think that Roberts will take a bit of time to bed in. Davies threw Demarai Gray in straight away, but he had pre-season.

“I'd be surprised if Roberts does start, especially when he loves Will Williamson so much. Patrick Roberts has to bide his time, but I don't think it's going to be long, one or two games at best.”

Patrick Roberts will have to take his chances at Birmingham City

There are no doubts around Roberts’ ability; he has proven over the years at Sunderland that he has the technical attributes to cause real problems for defences up and down the Championship.

However, due to the wealth of attacking options currently at Birmingham City, he will have to prove why he deserves to start at St. Andrew’s.

Due to the fact that Roberts is only contracted to Blues on a temporary basis, Davies may feel tempted to give preferential treatment to the players he knows will be within his ranks for years to come, such as Gray and Williamson.

This means that when the Sunderland loanee is presented with opportunities, he must take them and prove why he deserves to start on a regular basis.