Rubin Colwill: Cardiff resurgence fuelling midfielder’s best form

That consistency has been integral to his return to the Wales squad.

Colwill had been overlooked for most of Craig Bellamy’s first year as head coach, prompting some anger among Cardiff fans.

But Colwill was one of five Bluebirds in the Wales squad earlier this month – a sharp contrast to the beginning of the country’s World Cup qualifying campaign in March, when there were none.

“It’s lovely to be back involved,” said Colwill. “It’s nice to be back in the mix with a load of the younger Cardiff lads, and hopefully it’s going to be that way for a long time.

“There’s definitely a really big similarity [between Cardiff and Wales]. I think the feeling of both styles of play is very similar so it’s a lot easier and smoother to go between the two.”

Colwill has clearly taken to the more enterprising approach Cardiff have adopted since appointing Brian Barry-Murphy as head coach in the summer.

Like Bellamy, Barry-Murphy wants his teams to get forward and dominate games, as well as demanding that they work hard off the ball and press opponents.

But the biggest change at Cardiff has been the results, where winning regularly this season has been a refreshing antidote to the constant relegation battles of recent years.

“It’s definitely a change, something I can definitely get used to compared to what we’ve previously had,” said Colwill.

“At the time relegation seemed like the worst thing in the world. Obviously last season wasn’t great, but I think in the bigger picture sometimes stuff like that can be a positive.

“We’ve almost taken a step back to hopefully take two steps forward. Definitely the energy change within the dressing room, within the training ground and also around the club, the positivity in the stadium and just in general, it’s definitely going in the right direction.

“I think for those boys who probably don’t know the club as well as I do, it’s nice to see them having a positive experience like I’ve had for so many years here, to see everyone behind us, everyone in the stadium, around the club, and just to show Cardiff really in its best light is nice.”