Emyr Huws

[Shands]

I watched the second half of Birmingham v Huddersfield the other day. 45 minutes is clearly not nearly enough to make any assessment on Huws merits, particularly not given how woefully Birmingham played and that he spent most of the half watching the ball just go back and forward over his head. It's clear that he's got a very good left foot and technique; it did seem though that if he is to make it with City, keeping in mind the way we play and pressure sides when defending, he's probably going to have to make a significant improvement in his mobility and physical strength (in both these regards he looked to be less effective than the much maligned Garcia). It struck me that perhaps he could benefit from some boxing training to get him a bit more agile, quicker on his feet and better at moving side to side. No idea if we do this sort of thing with our players?

Incidentally the stand out performer in the game was our old boy Adam Clayton, he scored a gem of a goal.

 

[BlueDejong]

Manchester City FC ‏@MCFC 45m
LOAN NEWS: @EmyrHuws1 and Albert Rusnak extend loans at @BcfcDotCom until the end of the season. Full story: <a class="postlink" href="http://manc.it/1nJU5rM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://manc.it/1nJU5rM</a> #mcfc

City EDS duo Emyr Huws and Albert Rusnak have extended their loans at Birmingham City until the end of the season.

Emyr and Albert both originally agreed one month deals at St Andrews, but have made such a good impression on manager Lee Clark that he was keen to retain their services until the summer.

Both players have been earning rave reviews in their early weeks in the Midlands, and were handed debuts within days of signing. Albert has now made four appearances for Clark's men, including an FA Cup encounter with Swansea, in which he caught the eye with a trademark classy display.

Huws has made a starting spot his own, playing the full 90 minutes in each of the four matches since his arrival, and has two assists to his name already as he seeks to gain valuable experience in competitive, Championship football.

Speaking after the 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic 10 days ago, Clark said: “I understood, when I had the conversation with Patrick Vieira about the Manchester City boys, that he rated them very, very highly - and I can see why. They have got such high hopes for both of them. But Emyr, in his two games, wow - different class.”

Both players have played key roles for Vieira's under-21 side this term, and Emyr made his senior City debut in January when he came on as a sub for Micah Richards in the FA Cup third round replay against Blackburn Rovers.

The extended loan spell is sure to benefit the pair as they continue their footballing education. Speaking to mcfc.co.uk earlier this month, Rusnak said: “I think this loan will improve my game in different ways than if I was playing for City in the EDS. I feel like I’m improving all the time and really developing as a player.”

We'll keep you updated as to how they get on in our weekly Loan Watch feature, right here on mcfc.co.uk.

 

[Centurions]

Slightly off topic but :-

Birmingham City have sacked assistant manager Terry McDermott and first-team coach Derek Fazackerley, according to Sky Sports sources.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield - a display which manager Lee Clark described as "outrageous" - extended the Blues' winless run at home to 11 games and left them 18th in the Championship.

Neither McDermott nor Fazackerley attended Birmingham's U21 development match against Barnsley on Monday afternoon, and Birmingham have refused to comment on the story.

A statement on the club's official read: "Birmingham City Football Club acknowledges speculation surrounding the positions of employees Terry McDermott and Derek Fazackerley but has no comment to issue on the matter at this moment in time."

McDermott, 62, was Clark's assistant at Huddersfield Town and moved with him to St Andrews in June 2012.

Fazackerley rejoined Clark at St Andrew's after a spell with Sven-Goran Eriksson at Leicester, having also worked under him at the Terriers between 2008 and 2010.

<br /><br />-- Tue Feb 18, 2014 4:02 pm --<br /><br />He was MotM again against Huddersfield (although the team were poor by all accounts). That's 4 out of 4 games where he's been the best Birmingham player on the pitch. Not bad going.

 

[Graceyboy]

Went to see Blackpool today where Birmingham were the visitors. Emyr played 90 mins and was very solid. Very comfortable travelling through the field with the ball and kept things neat and simple. Lee Clarke was very happy with him. Rusnak was an unused sub

 

[FantasyIreland]

Went to see Blackpool today where Birmingham were the visitors. Emyr played 90 mins and was very solid. Very comfortable travelling through the field with the ball and kept things neat and simple. Lee Clarke was very happy with him. Rusnak was an unused sub

Cheers Graceyboy,even if he doesn't make it with us,this loan experience will ensure his stock is high.

 

[Damocles]

Went to see Blackpool today where Birmingham were the visitors. Emyr played 90 mins and was very solid. Very comfortable travelling through the field with the ball and kept things neat and simple. Lee Clarke was very happy with him. Rusnak was an unused sub

Good update mate. And of course.....HE GOT MOTM AGAIN.

Beginning to think that this lad could make our first team squad if he continues these types of performances.

He has won MOTM in every single game he's played there hasn't he?

EDIT: He has been the best Birmingham player on the pitch in all but one of appearances statistically, and won 2 MOTM in 5 appearances including 2 assists.

Seems to have played further forward than usual today and still got MOTM.

[bigimg]http://rs819.pbsrc.com/albums/zz117/steveblues/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps9b9406a1.jpg~320x480[/bigimg]

 

[BigOscar]

He's not been MOTM in all the games, but he's recieved the highest rating on WhoScored in 4 out of 5 games (I think). Not sure how much that's worth, as those ratings very rarely coincide with the opinions of people who went to the games. But everyone down there seem very impressed with him, so hopefully that bodes well for him.

Not looking so good for Rusnak though unfortunately, who's out of the team and not even first choice sub in his position now they've loaned Ibe

 

[panorama]

Lee Clark's comments on Emyr Huws after Birmingham City's 2-1 win over Blackpool yesterday.

" Class act,absolute class act. He's so good it's untrue."

" He probably had his most indifferent game for us last week but he was still a 7 out of 10.
The rest of the time he's an 8 or a 9. He's a top,top player."

 

[Damocles]

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.smallheathalliance.com/read.php?1,1480383,1491006#msg-1491006" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.smallheathalliance.com/read. ... sg-1491006</a>

They seem to like him

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EBFw97YGtg[/youtube]

Number 36 as always, assists the second.

 

[Centurions]

Does anyone know for certain that he's out of contract this summer? I find that extraordinary if true.