The Buck Stops with Will

Competition for places has been giving the Blues manager a splitting head ache but would Gary Rowett have it any other way?

Will Buckley, on loan from Sunderland, has been trying to fight his way into the starting line-up in recent weeks. The 26 year-old has been impressive when he’s pulled on the royal blue jersey. However, due to the return from injury of David Cotterill and the form of Jacques Maghoma, Buckley has had to be patient.

Having made his debut as a substitute in the 3-0 drubbing of Derby County at the iPro  Stadium back in January, his first start was complimented with a goal in another 3-0 victory, this time against Ipswich at St. Andrew’s. 

The Oldham-born playmaker is a different kind of wide player to others available to Rowett. Buckley isn’t an obvious out and out winger who runs past defenders and whips balls in. He’s more of a skillful wide man who has the ability to unlock a defence with a pass or fancy flick whilst going about his business quietly. 

Rowett has decisions to make as we approach the business end of the season. Buckley will want game time. And he has made a decent fist of thing when he’s been given the chance. By Rowett’s own admission, the squad will be ‘fully utilised’ over the coming weeks. 

Buckley is the type of player who would’ve been out of Blues’ reach a year ago. Just like the recent loan signing Kyle Lafferty, he can have a big part to play between now and May. And only then will Buckley put his case for a permanent move across. 

Twitter @robwildey123