Ramsey’s ability is wasted by Cardiff

CARDIFF City do not fully utilise the talent of Aaron Ramsey, as their style of play often isolates the young midfielder.

Aaron Ramsey can be used more effectively (Photo:Jon Candy)

Aaron Ramsey wasn’t really allowed to function when Cardiff were held to a 1-1 draw last night by Burnley, on a bitterly cold evening in South Wales.

Michael Chopra put Cardiff in front on the stroke of half-time, but what looked like three points was snatched away when former Bluebird Steve Thompson came off the bench to equalise late on.

A bitter sucker-punch for Dave Jones’ men, who fill second place in the Championship, but with a difficult weekend trip up to Nottingham looming.

Ramsey, on loan from Arsenal, was not given the chance to use his full potential against Burnley, because so many balls and clearances went straight over his head, and completely bypassed the Welsh midfielder.

Too often, Mark Hudson, Kevin McNaughton, and Peter Whittingham would pump long balls down-field for Michael Chopra or Jay Bothroyd to chase, and Ramsey would play no part in proceedings.

This was partly a consequence of the 20-year-old doing his utmost to track back as often as possible to help when the defence felt the pressure.

But this meant when Cardiff won possession back, the ball would be sent up-field, with Ramsey far too deep to be involved.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m old fashioned – I agree with the “away it goes” mentality, rather than playing dangerous keep-ball passing it across the back four.

But, if you have a player of Ramsey’s calibre in your starting 11, firing balls into the corners won’t utilise his talent and skill.

The Caerphilly-born midfielder has amazing potential to make things happen, and has shown signs of quality in his early games in a Cardiff shirt, after arriving on loan in January.

Obviously cutting the number of long balls would mean drastic changes to Cardiff’s style of football.

With strikers like Bothroyd and Chopra who can chase, it does make sense.

But working the ball through the midfield would unlock Ramsey, and give him opportunities.

And it wouldn’t mean starving the strikers of service.  Ramsey, with the help of Burke or Whittingham, could feed the strikers through the channels and work the ball, rather than just punting it away.

I am not suggesting Cardiff should play football like Swansea City, the notion of which would probably turn many Bluebirds green.

The point I am trying to stress, is Cardiff have to use their assets if they want victories, and ultimately clinch Premier League promotion.

Aaron Ramsey is an asset, and he could be a match winner…