Amid all the noise and expectation of the big kick-off in a new division, it sometimes gets lost that every opening fixture of the new campaign sees fresh faces.
Blues blooded five players – giving starts to four of them – and they all had an encouraging night under the lights at St Andrew’s.
Here, we run through them…
KYOGO FURUHASHI
A straw poll on social media post the final whistle gave the signing from Rennes a clear majority in the ‘Man-of-the-match’ stakes.
Supporters who were present for the Trevor Francis memorial game saw a glimpse – but the reaction was pretty much universal.
The striker – surprisingly chosen to spearhead the attack given the last pre-season outing – wowed with his movement, pace and clear ability in front of goal.
In fact, it took only seven minutes for him to show all of those qualities. His nudge on Jacob Greaves allowed him the opportunity to lob the ball over Alex Palmer.
Only for referee Andrew Kitchen to make the first of several dubious calls and rule it out for an infringement.
“I thought it was harsh,” said Davies, “the good news is that what Kyogo is capable of. He was clever, made the right runs, showed his speed, I’m very happy with him.”
He showed it was no flash-in-the-pan by hitting the upright after a clever feint from Jay Stansfield allowed him clear sight of goal.
The main problem – because it’s clear by his goal record so far that he can find the net – may be how best he is serviced.
Verdict: Will score goals, if he gets chances. A nice puzzle for Davies to solve.
PHIL NEUMANN
Anyone who saw the Trevor Francis memorial match would have recognised that Neumann was playing in Christoph Klarer’s favoured spot in the right-hand side of the two centre-halves.
The Austrian shifted over to make way for his teutonic pal.
What you want in any defender is strength, good positional play, and a willingness not to be beaten.
He demonstrated all those attributes – and looked like he had partnered Klarer before. It didn’t look alien to him.
There was one particularly noteworthy moment when he produced a covering tackle as Sammie Smozdics somehow wriggled clear. That would have given him a lot of confidence.
Davies was happy. He said afterwards: “For a debut, he was really good.
“Up against George Hirst, who is big physical, he’ll run the channels. He’ll give you a game.
“Phil was up for that, he matched that up really well.
“Good decisions on the ball, too.
“Even at the end he’s got cramp but he’s dug in, seen it through. Those are good signs for me. He’s robust and you have to be in the Championship.”
Verdict: A highly promising start.
BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL
The Nigeria international was up against Jack Clarke, one of the Tractor Boys’ more productive threats – and he did well.
The winger escaped his attentions once – rather fortitously – late in the first half but overall the ex-QPR man can claim victory in that battle.
He’s got neat feet and, as per most wingers-turned-defenders, likes to get forward to supplement the attack.
Davies said: “Bright defended one-on-one very well, against Clark who is a dangerous winger. And with the ball, he made good choices, didn’t lose it. It was a really good game from him.”
He looked strong and was clearly fired up. He got involved in an exchange with Jack Taylor that ended with both picking up a booking.
Verdict: He has the attributes to be a cult hero at a club that values its full-backs.
DEMARAI GRAY
It wasn’t his first rodeo with the club – but he returns a far different player to the lithe winger who first broke through the ranks from the academy.
He’s stronger and maybe not quite as quick but there were flashes of the odd touch of Premier League class amid the helter-skelter of the opening game in the Championship.
Due to his international commitments with Jamaica, Gray hasn’t enjoyed a full pre-season.
He was possibly under-used, if anything. Whether that was not getting into the right position to receive the ball or Blues not finding him with it, that may be something Davies needs to look at.
Verdict: Should improve as the campaign progresses.
TOMMY DOYLE
A surprise inclusion on the bench rather than in the starting XI as he had been for what many (including the author) felt would be the same line-up as there was in the Trevor Francis memorial match.
Davies admitted afterwards that the player picked up an illness in the week leading up to the game which caused the omission.
It was difficult for him to make much of an impression as by the time he entered proceedings Blues were in ‘protect what you’ve got’ mode by and large.
For that reason, it’s difficult to pass any fair judgement. However, he has a body of work behind him at Molineux that suggests better is to come.
Verdict: Impossible to judge fairly. His time will come.
