As a Cardiff City fan, this season has been particularly frustrating. Expectations were high as that expert at promotion from the Championship Neil Warnock promised us one more season.
Yet we haven’t looked convincing once, even defeating QPR 3-0 they controlled possession and looked the better team.
Defeat against rivals Swansea two weeks back pushed many loyal fans into questioning Warnock for the first time.
Even before the game his team selection was flawed, going for two up front against a team who try to dominate midfield.
This was reflected in a dire performance, lacking spirit and aggression and with the two strikers showing no understanding.
Our regular hoof-ball came under great criticism and many wondered if the Championship hadn’t moved on and most teams play now with considerable mobility and deft passing.
Our emphatic victory over Birmingham a week later will have answered many critics, though during the first 25 minutes they played wonderful football, pulling us apart and creating at least four clear-cut chances. With a striker like Che Adams they could’ve been out of sight by half-time.
Instead, a fortuitous penalty changed the game, but this time Warnock did seem to pick the right team.
In a three-man midfield Joe Ralls thrives and much as I marvel at the skills of play-maker Tomlin, it’s obvious that Ralls can’t afford to push forward with him in the team.
I still feel that our only chance of promotion is to bring in a younger coach in the Frank Lampard mould who’ll give youngsters opportunities and alter our style of play radically.
Warnock has done a superb job uniting the club and getting promotion to the Premiership. He could be moved on to Director of Football to accommodate such a change.
We’ve players who could thrive under a different regime: Etheridge might learn how to kick, Cameron Coxe get selected , Murphy become a consistent threat and a certain Omar Bogle have a run in the team.
Bogle’s a player I rate, though I know Warnock has reservations about his character. He’s direct and powerful, has a great shot, can take free-kicks, holds the ball up well and isn’t bad in the air.
With Ward’s suspension and Glatzel’s injury, he should get a chance to prove himself.
As to the crucial January transfer window, there’s one player many fans would like to see back with us and that’s Victor Camarasa of Crystal Palace, who has only played minutes since joining them over the summer.
The Spaniard was inspirational for us in the Premiership , with vital goals and assists and would fit in perfectly to a three-man midfield alongside Ralls and allow Pack to sit deep. At Championship level he’d be even better and securing him on loan would lift everyone at the club ( p.s. his wife loved Cardiff).
Our best wingers Hoilett and Mendez- Laing are returning to the form which took us up last time, however the biggest selection problem is our central defensive pairing now Sol Bamba’s fit.
Despite Ryan Nelson’s promising debut v. Birmingham I see the future being Bamba and Morrison.
Flint has had stick from fans, but he’s a better player with a quicker partner alongside him. He reads the game well and , like goalkeeper Smithies, it’ll be a tough decision to leave him out.
But Bamba and Morrison are used to each other and are complementary in style.
Our lack of cover at full-back is a concern and I only hope Jazz Richards returns to full fitness soon.
Being a Cardiff fan can be a struggle though we haven’t yet lost at home ( or won away mind). It remains to be seen whether the 4-2 win over Birmingham was a turning-point as Warnock claimed.
This season the Championship is incredibly open, as when top team West Brom were defeated at home by bottom club Barnsley.
The first two players Warnock signed for us were out-of-contract Bamba and Junior Hoilett and they remain at the club, fans’ favourites for their sheer passion and endeavour.
A lot will depend on the January transfer window and as well as Camarasa we need a top striker ( again!), though our record signing them is dreadful. Gary Madine anyone?
Dundee United’s Shankland is a name we were linked with over the summer and might well be worth pursuing.
Warnock needs to make crucial decisions about formation, central defence and striker and to alter tactics away from home where we squander possession too often.
Our manager is nothing if not an excellent battler and motivator and at least he has plenty of leaders in the squad, from Pack to Morrison to Bamba.
ONE OF THESE DAYS
We’re half way down the table
Or half way up if you’re optimistic,
We’ve only performed in flashes –
Winning at home, losing away
But, one of these days…….
Paterson’s looked as is
He’d rather be on Fortnite,
Tomlin’s lost two pounds
But doesn’t always play
One of these days…….
Glatzel’s got a couple –
We’re playing football
To give everyone neck strain,
Does Warnock know another way?
One of these days…….
We’ve got three good goalies
So it might be better
To select all of them –
3-4-2-1-1 okay?
One of these days
We’ll play like the USA
World Cup winning women’s team,
String three passes together
Like we can really play
One of these days.
Yet we haven’t looked convincing once, even defeating QPR 3-0 they controlled possession and looked the better team.
Defeat against rivals Swansea two weeks back pushed many loyal fans into questioning Warnock for the first time.
Even before the game his team selection was flawed, going for two up front against a team who try to dominate midfield.
This was reflected in a dire performance, lacking spirit and aggression and with the two strikers showing no understanding.
Our regular hoof-ball came under great criticism and many wondered if the Championship hadn’t moved on and most teams play now with considerable mobility and deft passing.
Our emphatic victory over Birmingham a week later will have answered many critics, though during the first 25 minutes they played wonderful football, pulling us apart and creating at least four clear-cut chances. With a striker like Che Adams they could’ve been out of sight by half-time.
Instead, a fortuitous penalty changed the game, but this time Warnock did seem to pick the right team.
In a three-man midfield Joe Ralls thrives and much as I marvel at the skills of play-maker Tomlin, it’s obvious that Ralls can’t afford to push forward with him in the team.
I still feel that our only chance of promotion is to bring in a younger coach in the Frank Lampard mould who’ll give youngsters opportunities and alter our style of play radically.
Warnock has done a superb job uniting the club and getting promotion to the Premiership. He could be moved on to Director of Football to accommodate such a change.
We’ve players who could thrive under a different regime: Etheridge might learn how to kick, Cameron Coxe get selected , Murphy become a consistent threat and a certain Omar Bogle have a run in the team.
Bogle’s a player I rate, though I know Warnock has reservations about his character. He’s direct and powerful, has a great shot, can take free-kicks, holds the ball up well and isn’t bad in the air.
With Ward’s suspension and Glatzel’s injury, he should get a chance to prove himself.
As to the crucial January transfer window, there’s one player many fans would like to see back with us and that’s Victor Camarasa of Crystal Palace, who has only played minutes since joining them over the summer.
The Spaniard was inspirational for us in the Premiership , with vital goals and assists and would fit in perfectly to a three-man midfield alongside Ralls and allow Pack to sit deep. At Championship level he’d be even better and securing him on loan would lift everyone at the club ( p.s. his wife loved Cardiff).
Our best wingers Hoilett and Mendez- Laing are returning to the form which took us up last time, however the biggest selection problem is our central defensive pairing now Sol Bamba’s fit.
Despite Ryan Nelson’s promising debut v. Birmingham I see the future being Bamba and Morrison.
Flint has had stick from fans, but he’s a better player with a quicker partner alongside him. He reads the game well and , like goalkeeper Smithies, it’ll be a tough decision to leave him out.
But Bamba and Morrison are used to each other and are complementary in style.
Our lack of cover at full-back is a concern and I only hope Jazz Richards returns to full fitness soon.
Being a Cardiff fan can be a struggle though we haven’t yet lost at home ( or won away mind). It remains to be seen whether the 4-2 win over Birmingham was a turning-point as Warnock claimed.
This season the Championship is incredibly open, as when top team West Brom were defeated at home by bottom club Barnsley.
The first two players Warnock signed for us were out-of-contract Bamba and Junior Hoilett and they remain at the club, fans’ favourites for their sheer passion and endeavour.
A lot will depend on the January transfer window and as well as Camarasa we need a top striker ( again!), though our record signing them is dreadful. Gary Madine anyone?
Dundee United’s Shankland is a name we were linked with over the summer and might well be worth pursuing.
Warnock needs to make crucial decisions about formation, central defence and striker and to alter tactics away from home where we squander possession too often.
Our manager is nothing if not an excellent battler and motivator and at least he has plenty of leaders in the squad, from Pack to Morrison to Bamba.
ONE OF THESE DAYS
We’re half way down the table
Or half way up if you’re optimistic,
We’ve only performed in flashes –
Winning at home, losing away
But, one of these days…….
Paterson’s looked as is
He’d rather be on Fortnite,
Tomlin’s lost two pounds
But doesn’t always play
One of these days…….
Glatzel’s got a couple –
We’re playing football
To give everyone neck strain,
Does Warnock know another way?
One of these days…….
We’ve got three good goalies
So it might be better
To select all of them –
3-4-2-1-1 okay?
One of these days
We’ll play like the USA
World Cup winning women’s team,
String three passes together
Like we can really play
One of these days.
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