Recent team selections may have left some fans scratching their heads recently. David Davis has been deployed as a wide midfielder despite having an array of natural alternatives on the bench including the in form Jacques Maghoma.
But Brian Dick explained- “Although Gary (Rowett) has not said anything about Maghoma, my guess is that he wants to get Donaldson and Lafferty on the pitch feeding off Cotterill`s delivery”.
Rowett opted to sign Will Buckley in January, on loan from Sunderland, to increase the options in the wide areas and to give Blues more punch going forward. After scoring on his full debut against Ipswich at St. Andrew’s and turning in some decent displays, he has been frozen out of recent squad selections.
But with the youth academy close to the club`s culture, Brian Dick thinks that Buckley may have had more game time if it wasn`t for Rowett`s determination to push a home grown youngster, Viv Solomon-Otabor, through the ranks. He said- “Buckley is the victim of circumstances and the fact he (Rowett) wants to get VSO (Viv Solomon-Otabor) closer to the team”.
He continued- “Circumstances have contrived against Buckley. He needs a team to give him 25 games and to indulge his rustiness”.
My own thoughts went along the lines of ‘if Rowett wants to get Otabor closer to the team, why does he play Davis out wide?`. Brian explained Rowett`s thinking. ‘I think that is a fair question. Gary seems to have gone for midfield solidity while there has been a lingering chance of the play-offs. But I think now, with Blues` play-off chances seemingly beyond them, it`d be exciting to see two authentic wingers, particularly at home”.
My last question involved youngsters Koby Arthur and Alex Jones and what the immediate future holds for the duo.
“I’m not sure Arthur’s role in the team is clear. At senior level, is he a number ten or is he a winger? And I`m not sure Jones would get in the team ahead of Donaldson, Vaughan or Lafferty at the moment”.
Thank you to Brian Dick for taking time out to speak to Vital Blues. You can follow him on Twitter @briandick.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @robwildey123
Share this article
Related Articles
