Chris Davies’ patience with the Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi is seemingly wearing thin.
Whilst the manager remains supportive of the 30-year-old and believes he can come good, time is ticking.
Kyogo was a high-profile summer signing, believed to be around the £4 million mark, from Rennes.
But he has failed to score in the Championship and his solitary goal from 21 appearances came with a simple tap-in from a couple of yards created by Demarai Gray in the Carabao Cup against Sheffield United in August.
Blues are ranked third in the Championship for big chances missed and Kyogo is among the most profligate strikers in the league.
According to FotMob, he has missed 10 big chances. Only Haji Wright (Coventry City), George Hirst (Ipswich Town) and Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) – all with 11 – have missed more.
However, in contrast, Wright has registered eight goals this season with a 17.4 shot conversion rate; Kyogo’s conversion rate is zero – he has had 22 shots, six of which have been on target, with an xG of 4.00.
It’s not just the statistics that tell the tale. Watching some of the Kyogo’s misses has been painful – a free header six yards out, clean through on goal, sticking the ball over the crossbar with an empty net gaping at Southampton.
“It has been a frustration for Kyogo, for him more than anyone else,” said Davies.
“I can see that in him. He really wanted to come here, play regularly, score goals and get back in that Japan squad and go from there after a difficult few months in France.
“It was only a few months because he was still doing great at Celtic before he went off there.
“Going back to (a conversation) about chances we have created, he’s had quite a few of those – someone has told me within the league big chances he’d be up there as well, as an individual – and he hasn’t capitalised on them.
“He knows, as I’ve told him, that he needs to take those chances, those moments. He’s good enough to do it. He has shown that.
“But he needs to go and make it happen now. No one else is going to do it for him. He needs to do it himself.
“He’s a lovely lad, he gives everything, he’ll stay out after training, he will run, do everything you ask him to, very professional, very respectful – you couldn’t ask for a better pro.
“But, you know, hopefully he can find that edge now because I think the obvious answer – and most people are in the same camp here – is that when he gets that goal his confidence will grow and he will kick on from there.
“I’ve certainly been in that camp and believe that because I know confidence for a goalscorer is just crucial. He’s had a difficult few months before he came so this calendar year hasn’t been fantastic for him.”
Kyogo made his name at Celtic, netting 86 goals in 167 games. He established himself as a modern day Bhoys legend.
But it has been an unhappy spell so far at Blues, albeit Kyogo has only started in five of 19 Championship appearances.
Davies acknowledged: “He hasn’t been starting many games. He comes on. Doesn’t have a lot of time to work with.
“But he has had, again, chances within those periods.
“So Kyogo’s got to make it happen now. He knows that.
“No one is going to do it for him. He needs to go and do it, have that killer instinct, get his goal because he’s here to score goals obviously.
“That’s why he came, that’s what he believes as well. But he hasn’t proven that yet.
“And he’s got to prove himself at this level, at this team, with this club.
“He’s desperate to do it. Desperate. He has got a lot of backing within the dressing room. Everyone one wants him to do it, wants him to do well.
“But there comes a point where – and he knows this, it would be foolish to say anything other – you have got to make it happen, you have got to do it. That’s the job of a striker.”
Fans have shown remarkable patience towards Kyogo and Davies praises their tolerance.
“He has got great backing here from not just internally but of course fans and the narrative will grow the longer he doesn’t score.
“But the sense I have is he has great backing from the fans. They were singing his name a few weeks ago in the stadium and, to be fair, as a player, you can’t really ask for much more from a set of fans when you’ve come in as a goalscorer.
“They’re backing him. They’re backing him and I’d ask them to continue to do that and support the player because we want to look after our players and hopefully he will repay that with the goals.”
