NAKAMBA BACK AT BEING MARVELOUS

Everybody knows Marvelous Nakamba has been a shadow of his former self. The Zimbabwean's form has taken a nose-dive going back as far as, say, late October. The 26-year-old looked on it from the get-go on Tuesday night, backing up an assured display at Brighton four days previous. Nakamba, a summer signing from Club Brugge, has taken a confidence hit in recent weeks and could be seen by some as being just too nice of a bloke.

He's often putting his hand up in apology to Smith on the sidelines if ever he misplaces a pass, bless him. However, against Watford, the affable African looked much more meaner and relished the midfield battle up against the powerhouse duo of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue. His running stats must have been through the roof, he was everywhere and, during a call on the radio on the drive home, was touted as being Claude Makelele-esque. High praise, indeed.

Afterwards, BirminghamLive asked Smith about Nakamba appearing to be back to his brilliant best, to which Smith said: "He was good. He was good at Brighton as well, covered the ground really well and broke up Watford's attacks. He used the ball really well. It's come at a good time."

Cred:Birmingham mail