The Warmdown: Rubin Colwill's double puts more pressure on Chris Hughton

A fifth league defeat out of six this season keeps Nottingham Forest bottom of the Sky Bet Championship.

The Warmdown: Rubin Colwill's double puts more pressure on Chris Hughton
Rubin Colwill (r) of Cardiff City celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Joel Bagan (c) and Mark Harris (l) during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City at City Ground on September 12, 2021 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
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By Ethan Lamb

A double from second-half substitute Rubin Colwill secured a 2-1 victory for Cardiff City over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Chris Hughton's side took the lead in the 23rd minute after good build-up play saw debutant Max Lowe drill a low ball into the path of captain Lewis Grabban, who swept home under the legs of 'keeper Dillion Phillips

The Reds held a one-goal lead going into the break, but a double substitution in the 56th minute turned the game on its head. Cardiff boss Mick McCarthy replaced James Collins and Sam Bowen with Kieffer Moore and Rubin Colwill. 

Just two minutes later, a dangerous cross from Will Vaulks caused panic in the Forest six-yard box, with Moore winning the initial header before 19-year-old Colwill fired home from close range. 

Wales international Moore hit the upright with a brilliant glancing header before quality link-up play between the two substitutes saw Colwill fire a great strike past Brice Samba, securing all three points for the Welsh side. 

Here is our warmdown of the game, where we go over the key talking points.

Hughton's future

The defeat on Sunday afternoon no doubt ramps up the pressure on boss Chris Hughton. After five losses out of six, Forest are rooted to the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship, confirming their worst league start in over 108 years. 

However, the game against the Bluebirds finally saw a change in formation from Hughton, who opted for a 4-4-2 instead of a 4-2-3-1. Grabban started alongside Lyle Taylor upfront, with Grabban operating in more of a deep-lying forward role rather than an out and out centre forward. 

Despite this, the two men at the top of the pitch struggled to put a stamp on the game. The pair were up against two of the best aerial defenders in the league, in the form of Aden Flint and Sean Morrison. For long spells of the game, the home side played long balls up to the pair, which often resulted in a turnover of possession. 

McCarthy's side bullied the men in red throughout the second 45, a major factor in gaining all three points on Trentside. The spine of the team, are all well over six foot, and constantly outmuscled and outfought a Forest side who were powerless to stop the physicality of the Welsh side. 

It is no secret Hughton is on borrowed time after only picking up one point out of a possible 18 this season. Wednesday's game at home to Middlesbrough could prove to be the final straw for Hughton should his side lose once more. 

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Classy Colwill

A product of Cardiff City's academy, Colwill is another example of the excellent work the Welsh side are doing at producing youth players. 

In his 34 minute cameo off the bench, the youngster managed to score twice and turn the game around single-handedly to secure a vital win for the Bluebirds.

His two goals both held significant importance but both showed his class at such a young age in completely different ways. His first showed quick reactions and a calm head to fire the ball home after multiple ricochets, with his second showcasing the exquisite technique that he possesses in his left foot. 

It wasn't just his goals that made him stand out. His movement off the ball and his high-intensity work rate put Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna under constant pressure allowing for his fellow sub Moore to come close on a couple of occasions. 

Should he keep producing performances like today, the sky is the limit for the talented teen. His short-term aim will be to start more games, and today's performance will do his chances no harm of becoming a regular starter under McCarthy. 

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Committed Cardiff 

As much as Colwill fired them to victory, the whole Cardiff side deserves credit for their second-half performance at the City Ground.

To a man, the Bluebirds outclassed and outfought a Forest side who were simply not good enough to warrant any reward out of the encounter. The midfield dominated, with Vaulks being the orchestrater in the middle of the park, causing constant panic with his set-pieces and giant throw-ins. 

Flint and Morrison were simply a different class at the back. Despite the countless passes played up to the Forest frontline, the pair dominated and rarely looked like being threatened. Whether it be played into feet, or in the air, the centre backs won everything, to the frustration of the Forest faithful. Nottinghamshire born Flint suffered a nasty cut to his head in the first period, but was patched up and went on to showcase his desire and commitment to win all three points. 

Everyone knows that Cardiff may not play the most attractive football, however, their grit and determination to grind out results will pay dividends come the end of the season. Their ability to get the odd point or three in games that are lacking in quality will put them in good stead to claiming a play-off place for the second time in three seasons.

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