Cardiff City boss Steve Morison insists he won't be pressured into placing more responsibility on the shoulders of Rubin Colwill this season, adding that hype around the Wales youngster is proving unhelpful to his development.
Mick McCarthy, Rob Page, and almost every follower of Cardiff City, have seemingly all earmarked Colwill as a potential superstar since his senior breakthrough, and his impressive recent cameo against Bristol City will only serve to intensify the clamour for him to be handed a stronger role in Morison's plans this term.
Rightly or wrongly, there's a growing perception Morison doesn't quite share everyone else's enthusiasm, although he's previously urged caution and patience in allowing the player to develop, pointing to the example of Manchester City's Phil Foden as the template to follow.
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Foden was initially drip-fed into Pep Guardiola's plans before establishing himself as the superstar he is today for club and country, and the Cardiff boss clearly feels it's an example to follow, although some will likely disagree.
In terms of this season, and in Morison's defence, Colwill is still playing catch-up having previously sat out most of the summer due to injury. But his flashes of excitement, and his status as the potential local hero, often cause fans to dispense with such practical realties.
"He’s a hugely talented boy," Morison said ahead of Saturday's clash with Preston North End. "I smile when I go a bit on the defensive on him because I’m trying to protect him.
"Unfortunately, you guys [the media] put too much pressure on him. Whether you think he reads all the stuff he puts out, of course, he does. Or people around him will.
"He’s a hugely talented boy, but he’s no different to other players in the squad. Everyone’s treated the same. He has to tick boxes to come back [into the starting line-up].
"If I put him in 2 weeks ago when he’s just come back and he broke down that’s on me. He has to be managed correctly."
But there are factors clearly being weighed up behind the scenes that go beyond match fitness. Put simply, Morison clearly still feels Colwill isn't quite the rounded player he needs to be - at least not yet.
"I think if you look at Rubin, everything that excites you and frustrates you about him came out on Sunday. It’s managing the risk and the reward.
"As much as you want that maverick that flair that ability to beat a man and get out of tight spaces. You’ve also got to manage the fact that he might lose the ball in the middle of the pitch and you’ve got a counter-attack on your hands.
"We look at it from a far more holistic and rounded approach than what you guys do and everyone else. Ultimately, it’s about the team. I’ll never make a decision based on external opinions.
"It’s always about what’s best for the team. We pick a team based on what’s going to try and win us that game.
"There’s always a conversation [when he's not selected]. He’s never just left out. I explained at start of pre-season. It’s a squad game and everyone has to be involved.
"Only a few will play every game. Ultimately, he’ll want to play every game, but so will anyone else. It’s just about what’s right for the players. They’re not robots. You can just keep churning them out week in, week out, they have to learn.
"Each game’s got a different aspect to it. It’s just controlling the situation and ultimately, making him the best player he can be. If he becomes the complete player, the world’s his oyster."
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