The Cardiff City starlet who just produced another storming

The Cardiff City starlet who just produced another storming display and could save the club millions

The emergence of Bluebirds youngsters has been a real cause for celebration over the last 12 months and there has been another terrific display this week.



The 18-year-old who filled Tomlin's boots in that creative role was Rubin Colwill, who stole the headlines with a hat-trick at Leckwith as at the last moment Tomlin withdrew from the U23’S.



Cardiff City’s U23’S this season:

Won 8, Drawn 1, Lost 11


Is Rubin Colwills, Lee Tomlins replacement?


By Glen Williams


Wednesday 31st March 2021


Rubin Colwill scored a hat-trick for Cardiff City's under-23s and is making a real impression

Tuesday afternoon's thumping win for Cardiff City's under-23s felt like a real watershed moment.

A resounding 6-1 victory for the young Bluebirds over their league one Wigan opponents is just the latest in a string of impressive performances for Steve Morison's side, who have been resurgent since December.

The talk at the start of the game was just why Lee Tomlin didn't emerge after being named on the team sheet just minutes earlier.

There were hypotheses and theories being bandied about, the reason he didn't play is still unknown as yet, but City's young stars made sure he wasn't the talk of the town for long.

The 18-year-old who filled Tomlin's boots in that creative role was Rubin Colwill, who stole the headlines with a hat-trick at Leckwith.

Mick McCarthy's senior side have eight games left to play in this campaign. In reality, with so much on the line, neither Colwill nor Tomlin will have a big part to play in that, especially in light of the latter's mystery absence on Tuesday.

But it has thrown up the question; who will have a bigger part to play next term?

While Tomlin's talent is unquestioned, it appears manager McCarthy is unconvinced that he is at the peak of his fitness just yet, which is what is needed for Cardiff's high-intensity game.

Quite what happens with him this summer is a big question, however some believe Tuesday's display is just the latest signifier that the torch is being passed to the hugely-talented Colwill.

One thing which plays into the academy product's favour is his 6ft-plenty frame; he looks ready for the physical challenge of the Championship as well as having a technical proficiency.

It is clear Colwill is benefitting from the extra confidence he has gained from being selected by McCarthy seven times for match-day squads, having featured twice.

Contrast that with how often Tomlin has been afforded a chance in the squad in that time and it might go some way to informing you of McCarthy's thinking.

In times of severe financial difficulty, which is the situation we find ourselves in owing to the coronavirus pandemic, clubs will be looking to their academy in the hope of saving millions in the transfer market.

Cardiff, to their credit, have ploughed a lot of effort into revamping their academy over the last 12 months and at some point we are going to see the fruits of that labour.

Colwill might just be the next cab off the rank and, given that playmaker position in which he plays, he could save the club millions in the summer.

It is probably over-egging the pudding to suggest that Colwill has snatched the shirt from Tomlin, but there is a very real conversation to be had over him potentially being the heir apparent to that playmaker role in the first team.

Whether that is next season, the season after or even further into the future remains to be seen. But he is certainly showing he has all the weapons in his arsenal to make that step up.

That is, of course, if the first-team staff deem him worthy of adding quality to the side. And on recent evidence it seems like he certainly has the potential to add something.

It is always important, of course, not to heap too much pressure on a player just making his first strides in the game, but the reality is that Cardiff, like other clubs, will look to lean on their own academy resources more than they have done in recent years.

That is why City's decision to invest in their academy now looks a prudent one for the future.

Another hot prospect in Kieron Evans produced three fine assists for City, including two for Colwill, and is another they hold high hopes for.

He, too, could get his chance next season, having signed a two-year deal earlier this month and with Junior Hoilett out of contract and Sheyi Ojo due to return to his parent club Liverpool this summer. Whether out-on-loan winger Gavin Whyte has a future at City when he returns in the summer is something which has to be resolved, too.

Harry Wilson's future likely lies elsewhere as £10 million is way out of Cardiff‘S budget,while Jonny Williams' contract is up at the end of the season, whether City decide to trigger that extension will be one to keep an eye on, but it will likely impact both Evans' and Colwill's involvement.

Keenan Patten and Isaak Davies were also both on the scoresheet against Wigan, the duo also having put pen to paper on new deals in the last few months.

The club are looking towards the future now and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that we might be seeing more of these young players next term.

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I’ve been in Tomlin’s corner for the last few months but it’s starting to get ridiculous.
Hopefully the young lad will be the real deal. Mick certainly won’t be afraid to put him in the first team squad that’s for sure.

There is no comparison, one costing City £28,000 a week and never plays and is getting slower and older and a young lad who wants to play, full of enthusiasm, full of skill and a goal getter probably costing City £500 a week

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I’ve been in Tomlin’s corner for the last few months but it’s starting to get ridiculous.
Hopefully the young lad will be the real deal. Mick certainly won’t be afraid to put him in the first team squad that’s for sure.

Always thought Tomlin was a great player and he showed it at the back end of last season but he really is taking the piss now. He has had plenty of time to get fit now and should be excited at the possibility of another playoff but he can't even be bothered to get fit. I would like to say get rid of him at the end of the season but no one else will pay the money we are paying him now so we probably have to pay the lazy b*stard off.

Tomlin possibly the most talented player we have?

It's such a shame he did show last season what he can do when he wants to and tries, I don't think he has the heart and balls to prove Mick wrong and get fit and playing again and he is definitely running out of time, it's over to you Tomlin, how do you want to be remembered?

Colwill on the other hand looks to have both the talent and the heart to make it as a top footballer, he looks like the best young player to come through since Ramsey, keep pushing Rubin, the way you've been performing you can break in this season

Get him and Kieron evans linking up. 2 youngsters that have the heart and desire. Definitely an exciting option to try in the pre seasons, if nothing else.

Get him and Kieron evans linking up. 2 youngsters that have the heart and desire. Definitely an exciting option to try in the pre seasons, if nothing else.

Tbh if after the next few games it’s clear we’re out of the race for the playoffs I’d start playing them sooner than pre season.

Good Luck To The Lad