Given Cardiff City's unexpected season to date, The Bluebirds have needed characters to step up, but one that has stepped up is one very few would've predicted at the start of the season...
Andy Rinomhota has become a crucial player for The Bluebirds in the past few months. Rinomhota's energy down the right and tenacity has proved difficult for the opposition to deal with, and has seen the 27 year-old become a popular figure in the Welsh Capital.
The Past Twelve Months:
Just over a year ago Rinomhota started against Plymouth Argyle in a 3-1 defeat at Home Park. Despite Rino being one of the only players to step up in a difficult moment, this would be the last time we saw the midfielder, as the Zimbabwean joined Rotherham on loan for the remainder of the season.
Rinomhota had a mixed spell in Yorkshire, with a handful of impressive appearances. However, the midfielder did nothing of note to suggest he would return to Cardiff and earn himself a starting place, especially after scoring an own goal against Swansea in his last game for The Millers.
There was rumoured interest in Rinomhota in the summer, however the 27 year-old remained at Cardiff. Under Erol Bulut, Rinomhota looked set for another season of being a bit part player, after featuring twice in the Carabao Cup. Erol Bulut was dismissed in September and so the door opened for a Rinomhota return. Rinomhota came on for his first Championship minutes in Omer Riza's first game in charge against Hull, in an unfamiliar role down the right hand side.
Rinomhota continued to make appearances off the bench, helping see out games late on. In November, due to a suspension for Perry Ng, Rino was thrown in at right-back against Norwich to deal with league top scorer Borja Sainz. Despite Sainz netting, The make-shift right-back dealt with Sainz for large spells of the game and looked comfortable in his new role.
Despite impressing, Rinomhota would play just one minute in the next five games, returning to his role on the bench. The 27 year-old returned to his usual midfield position in a home defeat against Preston. A change of system however saw Rinomhota return to the right hand side.
At the time of writing, Rino has now played nine full Championship games in a row, as he continuing to excel in his new role.
Why has Rinomohta's return been a success?
Rinomhota has brought character and energy down that right hand side. The 27 year-old's fearless style has rubbed off on others, as Rino doesn't step down from a battle with anyone, even the best there is in the division.
The right-back excels in duels, we always knew Rino was tenacious, but playing in this role has brought more out of the Zimbabwean international, who is know one of the first names on the team sheet.
Given Perry Ng's varied season so far, Rinomhota has offered consistent performances at a high level for The Bluebirds.
Deserving of a New Deal?
It's a no brainer. Rinomhota has added being versatile to his game, and having players who can play anywhere are invaluable in a squad, especially in the Championship.
Not only is Rinomhota versatile, but he's also proven quality in the positions he plays. In any successful squad at this level you need Championship experience, and with over two-hundred appearances in the Second Tier, Rinomhota definitely has the experience needed.
At 27, Rinomhota is in his peak and is only going to get better in the next couple of years, and therefore a new deal for me is a necessity at this stage.
Summary:
Andy Rinomhota is the type of player fans can't help but like. He epitomizes what it should mean to play for Cardiff City. 110% every time he puts the shirt and has truly recovered his Bluebirds career in a remarkable way, and he deserves so much credit for that.
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