Pep Clotet has enjoyed a decent start as Birmingham City boss, with the side in the top half of the Championship heading into this international break.

Whilst results have been positive on the whole, performances haven't. However, the Spaniard will take encouragement from the fact Blues delivered their most complete display against Middlesbrough last time out.

The emergence of Jude Bellingham, along with showings from some reliable players such as Maxime Colin and Lukas Jutkiewicz have been pleasing for Clotet but it hasn't all been good.

There have been some more disappointing performers in the squad and here we look at THREE players at St. Andrew's who haven't hit the levels they are capable of...

Alvaro Gimenez

It's slightly harsh to include the summer signing because he does work hard and is a very useful outlet with his movement and ability to bring others into play

However, he was signed after scoring 20 goals for Almeria last season and was expected to be prolific for Blues, so he has to be judged to those standards.

One goal in nine games is just not good enough and he needs to improve that ratio quickly. Of course, he is adapting to a new league but he needs to do more given he arrived with a reputation.

David Davis

The former Wolves man has come in for some stick this season and you can understand why.

At his best, Davis is a box-to-box, energetic midfielder who can close down opponents well and contribute in the final third but we haven't seen enough of that this season.

Clotet appears to have recognised that, with the 28-year-old not involved in the past three league games.

Gary Gardner

According to WhoScored, the former Aston Villa has been one of the worst performers of the season for Blues and we'd have to agree.

Gardner had a good season on loan at St. Andrew's last season but the change of manager doesn't seem to have done him any favours and he has struggled to stay in the XI.

Again, in comparison to past performances, Gardner has been a disappointment.

 

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