Gray played his first few games in a Birmingham shirt on the left wing, and made a good impression on the manager and the fans. But when blues made the trip to Middlesbrough he was asked to fill in at left back. Six games late and Gray is still filling that role for Steve Bruce's men.

Against Manchester United on Saturday, Gray put in what was possibly his best performance so far in his short Blues career.

He had the job of marking tricky Cristiano Ronaldo who proved at Euro 2004 he is one of the best right wingers in the world at the moment. And Gray came through the game with flying colours having kept the Portuguese youngster quiet.

He made superb tackles against Ronaldo, Rooney and Smith, distributed the ball well and kept possession when he needed to. Add this to a few dangerous runs up the pitch to help out David Dunn and the blues attack and Gray was certainly a contender for man of the match.

This performance has led to blues defender Matthew Upson singing the praises of Gray to the media, and tipping him to continue playing in the left side of the Birmingham defence:

"He has got all the ingredients to be able to play in that position." "I am sure his favourite position is further up the pitch but he is going to do a good job for us there at left-back."

"Julian did exceptionally well against Ronaldo and also made a couple of really well-timed tackles against Wayne Rooney after he came on," Upson said.

Fans and pundits alike both sung Gray's praises after the game with many newspapers and websites including him in their team of the week.

With David Dunn producing the goods on the left wing and Gray playing well at left back then it looks like the two could form a good partnership in blues premiership campaign this season. And with them both being English... who knows!