Cardiff City & Wales Star ready to cement his starting Place
Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:43 pm
" Why Tom Lawrence faces fight to cement Cardiff City and Wales starting place "
By Paul Smith
26/03/16
Lawrence has become an integral part of Russell Slade and Chris Coleman's plans, but has yet to nail down his best position for either.
Tom Lawrence has, without question, a long and bright career ahead.
Since his loan move to Cardiff City, we have seen plenty of the qualities that have made a key part of Wales' Euro 2016 plans at the age of just 22.
Other than world-class qualities of Gareth Bale, there is arguably nobody in the squad as good at gliding past a player and attacking space with the ball at their feet.
There was considerable excitement when the youngster was snatched form under Blackburn's noses by Russell Slade, and his eight appearances since then are testament to a player who has made himself an undoubted part of the play-off push.
It was exactly the kind of boost Cardiff needed, a young Welsh talent with genuine flair and pace.
In the short-term, however, there must be a worry that Lawrence's versatility may come to count against him.
As you would expect from an attacker with less than 100 senior appearances to his name, he is yet to nail down the kind of consistency that makes him irreplacebale.
Comfortable in any position across the front four but not really an expert in any of them, he may find himself behind more experienced operators in the critical games.
Lawrence's ability to play out wide was one of the reasons Cardiff were so keen to move for him, but he was brought first and foremost as a player who could help fill the void left by the departures of Kenwyne Jones and Joe Mason up front.
His reputation in that position was considerably enhanced by an impressive outing in the red of Wales against Holland last November, offering a real threat as the lone striker against one of Europe's most famous footballing names.
Two nil-nil draws during his first outings as a Bluebird forced a rethink, however, and come the Brighton game he was tasked with cutting infield from the right flank.
The result was emphatic, Lawrence one of a number of superb performances across a cultured, fluid frontline that blew Brighton away.
There have been good moments since, too, especially in the flash of inspiration at Ashton Gate.
As his side held a narrow lead in the Severnside derby, Lawrence, now operating off the left after Peter Whittingham was replaced by Craig Noone, picked up Lex Immers' pass from the middle.
In acres of space, Lawrence had the right-back on toast, cutting in and smashing off the cross bar. O'Keefe turned in the winner, and three vital points were secure.
The Wrexham born player will more than likely board the plane to France, with such versatility always working in players' favour when the final squads are decided.
And he will more than likely feature in most, if not all of the eight games left in Cardiff's play-off push, with that priceless ability to play in any of the front four positions.
But that could also count against him in both cases, as it looks increasingly likely he could be used as more of an impact player.
By Paul Smith
26/03/16
Lawrence has become an integral part of Russell Slade and Chris Coleman's plans, but has yet to nail down his best position for either.
Tom Lawrence has, without question, a long and bright career ahead.
Since his loan move to Cardiff City, we have seen plenty of the qualities that have made a key part of Wales' Euro 2016 plans at the age of just 22.
Other than world-class qualities of Gareth Bale, there is arguably nobody in the squad as good at gliding past a player and attacking space with the ball at their feet.
There was considerable excitement when the youngster was snatched form under Blackburn's noses by Russell Slade, and his eight appearances since then are testament to a player who has made himself an undoubted part of the play-off push.
It was exactly the kind of boost Cardiff needed, a young Welsh talent with genuine flair and pace.
In the short-term, however, there must be a worry that Lawrence's versatility may come to count against him.
As you would expect from an attacker with less than 100 senior appearances to his name, he is yet to nail down the kind of consistency that makes him irreplacebale.
Comfortable in any position across the front four but not really an expert in any of them, he may find himself behind more experienced operators in the critical games.
Lawrence's ability to play out wide was one of the reasons Cardiff were so keen to move for him, but he was brought first and foremost as a player who could help fill the void left by the departures of Kenwyne Jones and Joe Mason up front.
His reputation in that position was considerably enhanced by an impressive outing in the red of Wales against Holland last November, offering a real threat as the lone striker against one of Europe's most famous footballing names.
Two nil-nil draws during his first outings as a Bluebird forced a rethink, however, and come the Brighton game he was tasked with cutting infield from the right flank.
The result was emphatic, Lawrence one of a number of superb performances across a cultured, fluid frontline that blew Brighton away.
There have been good moments since, too, especially in the flash of inspiration at Ashton Gate.
As his side held a narrow lead in the Severnside derby, Lawrence, now operating off the left after Peter Whittingham was replaced by Craig Noone, picked up Lex Immers' pass from the middle.
In acres of space, Lawrence had the right-back on toast, cutting in and smashing off the cross bar. O'Keefe turned in the winner, and three vital points were secure.
The Wrexham born player will more than likely board the plane to France, with such versatility always working in players' favour when the final squads are decided.
And he will more than likely feature in most, if not all of the eight games left in Cardiff's play-off push, with that priceless ability to play in any of the front four positions.
But that could also count against him in both cases, as it looks increasingly likely he could be used as more of an impact player.
Re: Cardiff City & Wales Star ready to cement his starting P
Sat Mar 26, 2016 9:18 pm
I'd be more than happy to see city sign Lawrence in the summer, if Leicester win the league this year hopefully he's surplus to requirements there but they might still see him as part of their plans I'm not sure?
Re: Cardiff City & Wales Star ready to cement his starting P
Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:00 am
nubbsy wrote:I'd be more than happy to see city sign Lawrence in the summer, if Leicester win the league this year hopefully he's surplus to requirements there but they might still see him as part of their plans I'm not sure?
I agree, Welsh talented, hungry. Yep learning but is going to be a very good footballer in time.
Re: Cardiff City & Wales Star ready to cement his starting P
Sun Mar 27, 2016 7:36 am
If he's available and is willing to sign then it's a no brainer to bring him in especially with the waste of space that is Amiobi sure to be on his way.
Lawrence will only improve. The skill and attitude is there for all to see.
Lawrence will only improve. The skill and attitude is there for all to see.
Re: Cardiff City & Wales Star ready to cement his starting P
Sun Mar 27, 2016 8:05 am
OriginalGrangeEndBlue wrote:If he's available and is willing to sign then it's a no brainer to bring him in especially with the waste of space that is Amiobi sure to be on his way.
Lawrence will only improve. The skill and attitude is there for all to see.
Couldn't agree more