Ayumu Yokoyama proved two things during Birmingham City's romp at Shrewsbury Town
Nearly two months ago Ayumu Yokoyama announced himself to his new public with an eye-catching first few minutes in a Birmingham City shirt. Introduced as a second half substitute in what was proving to be a surprisingly difficult game at Wycombe Wanderers the Japanese gave his full back a five-metre start to a cross-field pass and still arrived in time to fly past him and square for Luke Harris to open his Blues account.
It was a scintillating introduction, since when the next line has yet to be written. The 21-year-old, a summer-signing from Sagan Tosu, came off the bench to less effect against Leyton Orient and Wigan, but more recently has been left out of four of the last five League One matches. Yokoyama has had to press his case in the lower profile Bristol Street Motors Trophy, first in the 1-1 draw with Walsall and then again at Shrewsbury Town this evening.
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Speaking before the Charlton game at the weekend, Chris Davies referred to his ‘adaptation phase’, praised his potential, predicted a ‘big future’ as long as he remained hungry. The Blues manager also hailed his two good feet and ability to score a goal.
And to be fair to Yokoyama, he tried to make the most of tonight’s opportunity. He was hungry for work and flashed some of the ability Davies mentioned. Going up against Carl Winchester in a changed home side, this was the chance to impose himself against a makeshift right back. He should be lauded for skipping past the Shrewsbury captain almost at will.
Certainly in the first half Yokoyama held his width, showed a neat first touch and with his second that burst of pace he flashed at Adams Park. He was happy to go outside or come inside, keeping Winchester guessing. However when it came to providing an accurate cross or picking out a team-mate it’s clearly still a ‘work-on’.
Without the ball, when it came to helping Alex Cochrane, Yokoyama sometimes contributed better than others. With it he stung the palms of Toby Savin on a couple of occasions. This was a display that confirmed Davies’ assessment – both that he has buckets of promise and that he is still in a transitional period in his time at Blues.