Chris Davies has challenged Paik Seung-ho to improve his goal contribution numbers after Birmingham City’s midfield maestro put on another masterclass against Lincoln.
Paik has enjoyed an excellent season but he has only registered two assists in 30 League One outings.
The immensely talented South Korea international hasn’t scored for Blues since he netted the winner against Norwich City on the final day of last season.
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Davies is at odds to explain why Paik hasn’t found himself on the scoresheet yet, but left no doubt about his importance to Blues with his post-match assessment of the midfielder’s performance.
“Within that system we set up in, Paik was more of an offensive midfield player rather than down close to Tomo (Iwata),” said Davies.
“He made one brilliant run and cross for the Taylor chance in the first half that the keeper tipped over the bar because, for his quality, he hasn’t got as many goals and assists.
“You see how sharp he is and how technical he is near the box and I don’t actually know why he hasn’t got more goals and assists.”
Paik perhaps hasn’t earned the plaudits that midfield partner Tomoki Iwata has due to their differing numbers. While Paik hasn’t scored this season, Iwata has found the net seven times and contributed two assists.
On Paik, Davies added: “I would class him as a six/eight type. He can play as a double pivot defensive midfielder but he has got the legs and energy to go and be an eight.
“He does so much more than that (goals and assists). He gets a lot of second assists, so he might not get the assist but he gets the pass before the assist.
“I’ve spoken to Paik about that and said to him that’s part of your development, with the quality you have, to score and create more goals and he’s embraced that.
“He’s a key player for us, I think anyone can see that, and he’s got a lot of quality.”
