JUST HOW IMPORTANT IS JOEL COLWILL TO CARDIFF CITY?
Before the international break, Welsh international Joel Colwill finally broke into the side and hasn't disappointed. The 21-year-old's return to the side has coincided with some of City's more impressive performances of the season.
Colwill has started the Bluebirds' three most recent games, netting against Stoke City and putting in an impressive performance against Charlton Athletic.
What does Joel Colwill bring?
Colwill is quite a unique profile in terms of midfielders on the Bluebirds' cards at the moment. The academy graduate offers an aggressive style, contrasting with his competition, all excelling on the ball rather than off it.
The 21-year-old is as good as you'll find at this level at relieving pressure when it's needed. Colwill has drawn the second most fouls in the Championship (19) so far this season, despite playing less than half of the available minutes this season.
Out of possession is the Welsh international's major drawing point; Colwill's intensity is truly game-changing for Cardiff. In terms of midfielders in the Championship, Colwill sits fourth for possession won in the final third per 90 (0.8). The 21-year-old also sits ninth for recoveries per 90 (5.8).
In possession, Colwill still offers plenty of quality. Brian Barry-Murphy is full of praise for the midfielder's ability in and around the box, as shown by his impressive header against Stoke, as well as the seven he netted in all competitions last season.
Colwill is a strong ball-carrier who also progresses the ball. All these attributes together may be in favour of the idea that the 21-year-old is the best all-round midfield option at the club.
What do Cardiff lose without Colwill?
The obvious answer is energy. Joel Colwill allows Cardiff to become a far more progressive side due to his ball-carrying ability and movement off the ball; however, there's no natural option that can do that in the Bluebirds' ranks.
City also lose a player capable of relieving pressure. The quality of the Championship is night and day compared to League One; therefore, there are times in games you just need to relieve pressure, and there is no one better at doing that than Joel Colwill.
Cardiff lose a massive presence in both boxes, which is evident on the eye. The Welsh international's ability in both boxes allows the Bluebirds to become a far better side in transition.
Importance to the BBM style of play?
Barry-Murphy wants his teams to play with intensity and attack spaces quickly when possession is regained. Colwill is well suited to this because he can receive between the lines, carry the ball forward and make runs beyond the opposition midfield.
That means Cardiff don't necessarily have to rely on their forwards dropping deep to create progression. Colwill can be the player who takes the ball through the middle and turns possession into an attack.
One of the problems with possession-based football can be becoming predictable if everyone wants the ball at their feet. Colwill offers something different because he can move beyond the ball. The midfielder can make third-man runs, attack spaces between full-back and centre-back, arrive late into the box, carry possession through midfield, and drift into pockets between the lines. That movement forces opposition midfielders to make decisions and can create space for Cardiff's forwards.
Perhaps the biggest argument for his importance is that Colwill's individual game aligns with several fundamental principles of BBM's football: intensity, mobility, pressing, verticality and positional flexibility.
He's therefore not just another midfielder who happens to fit into the system. His ability to press high, run beyond the ball and contribute creatively gives BBM another way of making Cardiff's attacking structure dynamic.
Striking up a partnership with Alex Robertson?
Where Alex Robertson has moved into a deeper role this season, the defensive prowess of Joel Colwill makes the two a very smart pairing.
The two have started the last three together, and Cardiff have had notably more control in both games on the eye.
Robertson excels in possession and dictates the game very well from deep with his strong on-the-ball attributes. The sheer intensity of Colwill out of possession allows the Australian international more control in midfield.
Colwill has specifically said the high-tempo, high-pressing style suits his game, while Robertson's deeper role gives Cardiff someone capable of progressing possession from the first phase, making the two the ideal pairing for BBM's system.
What do the stats say about Joel Colwill's impact?
Colwill has featured in 331 minutes out of a possible 720 in the Championship this season. Starting just three and come off the bench in five matches. The Welsh international has played just two full games out of those eight games.
The Bluebirds have conceded just two goals with Colwill on the pitch this season, which sees Colwill top the Bluebirds' list of least goals conceded on the pitch per game (0.54).
Whilst half of Cardiff's goals this season (5) have come while the 21-year-old has been on the pitch.
In terms of points per match, Colwill averages 1.3 when starting games, and alongside eight of his teammates, 0.88 in all games he's featured in this season.
Colwill's on-pitch plus/minus of +3 highlights the difference Cardiff have made when he has been on the pitch. In terms of importance to City, all the stats point in favour of Joel Colwill being one of the Bluebirds' most important players.
What does Colwill still need to develop?
Whilst Joel Colwill is making an evident impact in the here and now, at the age of 21, Colwill still has so much more to bring to this side.
The Welsh international can still be rough around the edges at times and rash. Colwill has committed the second most fouls in the Cardiff squad this season, and sits top in terms of yellow cards per 90.
Colwill's goal against Stoke did highlight his ability in and around the box, but the midfielder still can contribute more in the box. As shown by the 21-year-old's glorious chance missed against Charlton. However, that feels like something that will come with time and experience.
On the ball, Colwill contributes plenty, but under Barry-Murphy, it feels like an area the Welsh international is bound to improve.
Verdict - Just how important is Joel Colwill to Cardiff City?
In short, very important. This stems back to last season; Cardiff just look like a better side with Joel Colwill in it.
Whether that be with Colwill alongside the deeper midfielder, or even as the number ten, the Welsh international's impact is undeniable.
The 21-year-old was ready-made for the BBM system, and we're seeing that unfold in front of our eyes. Whilst Colwill is making his impact at the moment, the ceiling is so high for Joel Colwill.
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