Chris Davies reveals honest conversation with Luke Harris after Birmingham City bounceback
Chris Davies wants Luke Harris to use his improved showing in the win at Wigan Athletic as a marker for the remainder of his loan spell at Birmingham City.
Harris was handed his first league start in a month by Davies on Saturday and repaid his manager with one of his best performances of the season. The 19-year-old dovetailed nicely with the other members of Blues’ attacking quartet to play his part in a resounding 3-0 victory.
Speaking afterwards, Davies admitted that he has asked Harris to improve his quality in possession. The on-loan Fulham youngster hasn’t quite hit the heights that a goal on his first league start at Wycombe in August projected.
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“It was good from Luke because it’s hard to come in out the cold but Wigan try and play, they try and pass the ball around so we needed real energy and legs to try and press that,” said Blues boss Davies. “One thing Luke does like no one else really is cover ground.
“But with the ball, I’ve wanted more from Luke and I’ve told him that and he’s been receptive to that and he wants more from himself. He was neat and tidy with the ball. I still want him to go and score because that’s what he is, he’s a goal-scoring midfielder, but he was accomplished in his performance.”
Harris has been criticised by some supporters but, in his defence, he hasn’t always been used in his preferred position. The teenager impressed with four goals in 18 League One games on loan at Exeter City last season whilst playing as a number 10 but a chunk of his chances at Blues have come out wide.
Davies added: “I’ve played Luke left, right and he’s a number 10, and sometimes you’ve got to take that into account, but what I will say is his energy and his appetite is exceptional. He’s so young and what he needs is game time to grow and improve. The situation we’re in it’s not always possible to blood the youngsters but he’s done very well, started the season well and that gives Luke a marker now to kick on.”
