Lubala hungry for more after taste of the action
BIRMINGHAM City’s latest academy product Beryly Lubala has set his sights on staying in Garry Monk’s match-day squad.
The 20-year-old made his debut in Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat at Bristol City when he replaced Jeremie Boga with 20 minutes to go.
And he gave a bright cameo, firing in a long distance shot which forced a save and winning a second corner soon after.
The intention many.
“Getting the taste just makes you want it more,” Lubala told Blues TV.
“So get back on the training pitch, keep improving, keep impressing the gaffer and hopefully I can stay around it. Keep staying on the bench, keep coming on and hopefully cement my position in the team.”
Lubala’s opportunity came with Blues down to the bare bones in attacking positions.
Che Adams is two games into a three-match ban, Sam Gallagher has is that is the first of been injured for the best part of a month and Isaac Vassell hasn’t played since October. Nevertheless he made the most of his opportunity – and didn’t look fazed at all. Probably because he had his house-mate Wes Harding – another academy player – behind him at right back.
“Me and Wes have been friends since way back – and we live together as well. So it was a proud moment being on the same side as him.
“I knew he was going to help me out. He is very loud, he let me know where to be. It was just great, I knew I was me.”
Monk was pleased with the attacker’s first appearance – and admitted it had planted a seed in his mind going forward.
“I thought he did very well,” the Blues boss said. “He’s worked very hard since day one, since I came in. He got his opportunity.
“He looked a threat, looked positive. Of course that’s always food for thought as well. We haven’t got a lot of options attacking-wise. We try and make the best of it.” in safe hands with him behind