Ethan Laird names the Birmingham City guru making him ‘lost for words’

Birmingham City star Ethan Laird has lauded manager Wayne Rooney’s choice of coaching staff and believes the presence of one particular figure will help him reach his potential. The right-back, who has sensationally been Blues’ man of the match in three of his four appearances, is improving exponentially at his new club.

Laird was never a bad player by any means and far from it, but immediate progress has been shown in his early days at St Andrew’s. Birmingham are relieved to have the former Manchester United man back after a long spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and he’s hoping to get to full sharpness as soon as possible.

Blues had their first proper full week of preparation ahead of a fixture before they played Ipswich Town and it made a huge difference as Rooney’s men held the Championship title challengers to a 2-2 draw. It would’ve been a win had the legs not tired towards the end but there were plenty of positive signs.

It appears the squad is finally beginning to adjust to Rooney’s new playing style, with the repetition on the training ground having a good effect. Another help has been the arrivals of Carl Robinson, Pete Shuttleworth, John O’Shea and Ashley Cole as coaches, with the latter already making a huge impression.

“I’m never usually lost for words when someone comes in but him, because he’s the pinnacle of a full-back, especially in my eyes, I was lost for words the first time I saw him,” Laird said of Chelsea and England legend Cole after the Ipswich clash.

“Literally, I’m like a sponge when it comes to him. Everything he’s saying, I just try to take in everything because he’s the best. He’s been great for us, telling us little details and it’s always those little details that make us better players. I’m taking everything in while I can. It’s been a blessing,” Laird continued with a wide smile.

The dream team seems to be assembling in the full-back department in B9 as Laird and Cole, as well as Cody Drameh and Lee Buchanan, are becoming a force to be reckoned with. Emmanuel Longelo, meanwhile, is yet to fully adjust to his new left-back position but Cole is bound to help the 22-year-old adapt.

Birmingham are next back in action on Saturday, November 11 as they travel away to play-off hopefuls Sunderland. Rooney will be desperate to guide his team to a first win before Blues return to home soil to face Sheffield Wednesday after the international break.