FT: BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 - 1 CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

[Keyser Soze]

Game changer Tuerto. Dropping into space, and displaying a full repertoire of touches, one-touch passing, flicks, backheels, cross field range passes, ball in behind the back four. Didn’t waste a ball and most of it forward. An absolute game changer.

I also think Ramsey’s value is beyond his playing time. I have noticed that Colwill is always opening his body up now on receipt of the ball, so he always has “full field vision” and less back to goal. This is allowing him to see more to use his skills more effectively. So he is spinning less with his back to goal, and playing “side on” more. That is elite class stuff and I think it must be Rambo teaching him.

Those are the little thinga that tell me he is going to have a very big season next year, providing he plays more, and we have a faster 9 who can get behind more. If Bulut hires Kieffer Moore or a aimilar big 9 who can also sprint behind, I don’t think Bulut is that far off. I keep beating the drum on this - Colwill’s value to the team shoots up if we increses the willing runners behind. Isaak Davied and Cian Ashord could play in this team, with a fast 9 central, and Colwill pulling the strings. He also needs two central midfielders behind him who are more mobile to cover the ground, and get up and down to add speed to counter attacks.

It is the slow 9 and the two slow centre-mids in Wintle, Ralls, Rinomota and the like, that mean we cannot make the most from Colwill.

On the continent in Spain and Italy Colwill would thrive. We need three more players in, to make Colwill take the piss in this league. Oddly, I think with the speed of the Welsh forwards and Ampadu, as it stands, Colwill would look more effective at international levels than with us. He is just one of those players you need to build the team around.

For an example in our division, watch how Thomas-Asante creates havoc when he plays 10 for WBA. Sure he is quick, but WBA play three quick ones up top that allow him to find three options for runners. Once we understand that and do it, we will realise we have a Welsh Jari Litmanen. Colwill could be that good, I think.

Amazing skillsets. He is a 10, tailor made for a 4-5-1, 4-4-1-1 or a 3-5-2 system

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Our insistence on having a blocking midfield as opposed to a championship-paced one has hindered our play all over the field for 5 seasons

[the other bob wilson]

Our insistence on having a blocking midfield as opposed to a championship-paced one has hindered our play all over the field for 5 seasons

I mentioned before that I’m trying to give up Colwill threads, but didn’t he show at times tonight that he can do positive, constructive things on the ball that no one else in first team squad can?

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Been critical of Turnbull but thought he was alright when he played. I’d love to see him start there with Colwill as 10. Time to roll the dice with Ashford and Tanner now.

As for Diedhiou, Jesus Christ . He’s very possibly up there with the worst players we’ve signed in decades.

[PhyllisStant]

As for Diedhiou, Jesus Christ . He’s very possibly up there with the worst players we’ve signed in decades.

What is the sense in playing him ahead of our youngsters at this stage of the season?

[A Quiet Monkfish]

I mentioned before that I’m trying to give up Colwill threads, but didn’t he show at times tonight that he can do positive, constructive things on the ball that no one else in first team squad can?

Maybe I'm warming to him a bit. The goal shows what an influence play like that can have on other players, in this case Bowler. I doubt he would have busted a gut to get on the end of a return pass from Wintle, Ralls or Siopis..

[Rjk]

Maybe I'm warming to him a bit. The goal shows what an influence play like that can have on other players, in this case Bowler. I doubt he would have busted a gut to get on the end of a return pass from Wintle, Ralls or Siopis..

yes having someone driving forward with the ball makes it a lot easier for players to make runs and lose their markers. if the midfield is static then the defence has a far easier job.
Jordon Mutch did that pretty effectively for us during our promotion season.

[Tuerto]

Game changer Tuerto. Dropping into space, and displaying a full repertoire of touches, one-touch passing, flicks, backheels, cross field range passes, ball in behind the back four. Didn’t waste a ball and most of it forward. An absolute game changer.

I also think Ramsey’s value is beyond his playing time. I have noticed that Colwill is always opening his body up now on receipt of the ball, so he always has “full field vision” and less back to goal. This is allowing him to see more to use his skills more effectively. So he is spinning less with his back to goal, and playing “side on” more. That is elite class stuff and I think it must be Rambo teaching him.

Those are the little thinga that tell me he is going to have a very big season next year, providing he plays more, and we have a faster 9 who can get behind more. If Bulut hires Kieffer Moore or a aimilar big 9 who can also sprint behind, I don’t think Bulut is that far off. I keep beating the drum on this - Colwill’s value to the team shoots up if we increses the willing runners behind. Isaak Davied and Cian Ashord could play in this team, with a fast 9 central, and Colwill pulling the strings. He also needs two central midfielders behind him who are more mobile to cover the ground, and get up and down to add speed to counter attacks.

It is the slow 9 and the two slow centre-mids in Wintle, Ralls, Rinomota and the like, that mean we cannot make the most from Colwill.

On the continent in Spain and Italy Colwill would thrive. We need three more players in, to make Colwill take the piss in this league. Oddly, I think with the speed of the Welsh forwards and Ampadu, as it stands, Colwill would look more effective at international levels than with us. He is just one of those players you need to build the team around.

For an example in our division, watch how Thomas-Asante creates havoc when he plays 10 for WBA. Sure he is quick, but WBA play three quick ones up top that allow him to find three options for runners. Once we understand that and do it, we will realise we have a Welsh Jari Litmanen. Colwill could be that good, I think.

Amazing skillsets. He is a 10, tailor made for a 4-5-1, 4-4-1-1 or a 3-5-2 system

I don't share your enthusiasm, although he has undoubted ability, that's for sure. I'll tell you what he can do that others can't, and it's a natural gift, he can play with his head up, he doesn't have to look at the ball when he's in possession. That's a very rare gift and something that can't be taught.

I've been critical of him, and in my opinion it's justified. I've never criticised him for his inability to tackle, head a ball, track back and press (although he really works hard at two aspects of the game) He's not that player, never will be. When i have been critical it's been about individual errors, poor judgement and a lack of composure, and that's on him. Like his performance this evening is on him, he created, he performed, he showed composure, he made good decisions, all credit to Colwill, and not Bulut, because he can't make him do those individual things that make a difference, in the same way (Bulut) he doesn't make him make poor decisions, lack of composure etc...You get my drift. Yet people blame bulut when colwill doesn't perform and they exonerate Colwill of any blame. So, shouldn't Bulut receive praise for Colwill's performance this evening if we're going to blame him when things go wrong? Of course we shouldn't, because Bulut has nothing to do with individual elements of brilliance, in the same way he has nothing to do with a player making basic errors. Problem is that people have an agenda and they just can't be honest, because they're biased or dig their heels in and find it difficult to give credit.

Well done Rubin, you made the difference, we need more though. Lets hope it continues. Credit to him.

[PontBlue]

His judgment and composure would surely improve with increased playing time, stability of team selection and familiarity with team mates. His errors are possibly due to him expecting team mates to make runs that never happen. I've rarely seen him hit an overhit, underhit or wayward pass plus adventurous players tend to give the ball away more than safe players who only pass sideways or backwards.

My one criticism of Colwill is his lack of goals for someone of his ability.

Having said that Colwill never strikes me as flustered when given the ball under pressure. He's one of the few who can actually deal with it in that situation.

In one of the upcoming meaningless games, where neither team can be promoted or relegated, I'd like to see him play in the 10 with Tanner and Ashford in attacking roles. There's little point in playing attacking loan players unless we plan to sign them permenantly in the summer so lets start building a team this season around those who will definitely be here next season in games where the result, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't matter.