Nobody Will Want to Play Us Now, We’re a Proper Neil Warnock Team - Notes for Cardiff City Tuesday, 20th Feb 2018 11:00 by HarryFromBath HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Wednesday night’s game at Portman Road by delving into their forums. “We’re second in the table, what more can we ask for?”, “I can’t believe we’re back in second place, I didn’t expect to see that”, “I don’t understand the comments about being right back in the race for second spot. We haven’t been out of it all season”, “It’s all about keeping our momentum now.” Cardiff have bounced back from a run of four straight defeats over Christmas with an unbeaten streak of four wins and two draws in the league. Bluebirds see this week as one of the campaign’s toughest, with their trip to Portman Road bracketed by difficult home games against Boro and Bristol City. “A huge win and back in second place.” Saturday’s comfortable 1-0 win over Middlesbrough coupled with rivals Aston Villa losing at Fulham made a perfect start to the week, putting the Bluebirds back into the automatic promotion places and repairing the damage caused by their poor Christmas. “We’re looking very comfortable and are right back in the automatic promotion race. We’re creeping back up to the two points per game average with a strong recovery from a dreadful Christmas. There will be defeats in the weeks ahead, but that will also apply to those around us”, “We can do this.” “For the first time in many years we have a first-rate manager, strong support staff and a stable loyal owner, all making a good solid club”, “It’s a good time to be a Cardiff fan. I have been supporting City for over 46 years and I feel that Neil Warnock has made us as strong now as we ever have been.” Neil Warnock“This stage of the season is where Neil Warnock’s teams often cut through and make it where others whimper and fall away. As I was so certain under Malky Mackay in 2013, I am equally certain that he will hit the jackpot for us”, “We are so very lucky to have a man of his calibre in charge of things.”  Neil Warnock and Mick McCarthyThe 69-year-old took charge of his 16th different club in October 2016 and Bluebirds appreciate the way he has fashioned a balanced team under tight financial restrictions. “If he has got it right in the January transfer window, a play-off place at the end of the season is the minimum we can expect.” “Warnock has an old-fashioned approach of players needing to win their battles first before they can play”, “He prefers bread and butter players who do nothing fancy, but who stick to the basics and do them pretty well”, “Flair players will always need to put in the graft that Warnock expects as well.” “We don’t have anywhere near the best players in this division, so Warnock is forced to work with the skills he has inherited. There are very few natural passing players in our squad, so there is no point in trying to play as if they can. He has built a successful team around the style of the squad.” “Warnock knows what he is doing. He will change the team as we go along to suit the opposition”, “He has massively overachieved given our lack of funding”, “He is happy for people to think of him as an old-fashioned dinosaur but he is clever and nothing is said by him without an underlying motive.” Strength in Depth“We have strength in depth.” Injuries to defenders Sean Morrison, Lee Peltier and Joe Bennett and midfielders Aron Gunnarsson and Craig Bryson played a major part in the Bluebirds’ alarming dip in form over Christmas, and Warnock moved swiftly to strengthen the squad in the January window. New acquisitions left-back Armand Traoré (on loan from Forest), midfielder Mario Grujic (on loan from Liverpool), wingers Yanic Wildschut (on loan from Norwich) and Jamie Ward (on loan from Forest), and striker Gary Madine (from Bolton) are either experienced or capable of playing at this level. Bread and Butter Football“We are built around speed, strength, height, organisation and hunger. We outmuscle and outfight opponents and impose ourselves physically, being more direct and more effective in all areas of the pitch”, “We give up possession in exchange for quick-fire attacks through width and nabbing goals.” “When on form we’re almost unstoppable at times and play very good attacking football.” City fans bridle at the notion that their team plays direct ugly football but many accept that the quality of play dipped along with their form at the turn of the year. The new signings will help address this problem. “The early season football we played was often quite beautiful and not what outsiders expected. It wasn’t mindless but it ended up turning to power and passion over any subtlety”, “We were playing decent stuff until our terrible run over Christmas but it has become a good deal more like hoofball.” EtheridgeMangaMorrisonBambaBennettRallsGrujicHoilettPatersonTraoreZohore
“I think Warnock has just played his strongest XI [above] which I hope will start at Ipswich.” The side which started against the Teessiders on Saturday had the familiar three-man midfield plus wingers which Warnock has preferred this season. Left-back Traoré was stationed in a more advanced role. Keeper Neil Etheridge, defender Sean Morrison, midfielder Joe Ralls and winger Junior Hoilett are seen as the spine of the team. Bruno Manga and Sol Bamba can be pulled out of position playing in the backline, but energetic full-back Callum Paterson has blossomed playing in a midfield role. Fans are hopeful that Marko Grujic will add a stronger footballing balance to midfield with his range of passing and technique to balance the industry of Ralls and Paterson. Warnock’s reliance on width will come from wingers Hoilett, Anthony Pilkington, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Yanic Wildschut. “We started the season on fire because we got the ball to the flanks quickly but we stopped doing that”, “We are not setting up chances for strikers, we are not putting enough balls into the box for them to attack”, “Everyone knows we hit it down the wings so we are quite easy to set up against.” The form of winger Mendez-Laing and striker Kenneth Zohore has waned after an effervescent start to the season, but the arrival of Wildschut on the flank and the Gary Madine up front will improve the side’s attacking balance, with Madine’s aerial ability seen as a marked improvement on Zohore’s. Cardiff 1 — 0 Middlesbrough“A hard-fought win and another great result in what is proving to be a fantastic season”, “We played like a real team today and didn’t give a good Boro side much of a look in”, “For long spells the work rates of the two teams nullified each other. The passing often quite poor with the ball in the air.” “An excellent win.” Sean Morrison’s header on 33 minutes proved to be the winning goal in a gritty display against Tony Pulis’s resurgent Middlesbrough side. “Boro got back into it but we held on well and looked dangerous on the break. They didn’t cause our defence any real problems in the end.” “I’m really impressed with the commitment and work rate of the whole team. They are composed and doing their job.” Bluebirds praised the professional way their side closed out Saturday’s win over Boro, although some noted how Warnock had no qualms about making defensive changes (below). EtheridgePeltierMangaMorrisonBambaBennettHalfordRallsDamourHoilettZohore
Warnock brought Lee Peltier on and went with a five at the back to protect their narrow lead after Britt Assombalonga came on for Boro. “Players weren’t sure what was happening when Peltier came on. Loic Damour and Greg Halford made us defensive when it looked like we could grab more goals.” “The formation change worked and the game was managed to the end. Before Warnock’s time we would have brought on two fresh strikers and conceded”, “Boro finished strongly as they had to commit men forward, but they never looked like scoring”, “Things are looking really promising.” Cardiff 2 — 0 Bolton“A stroll in the park, that was very, very comfortable”, “That was the most I have enjoyed a City win in a while. We could have won 6-0 if we wanted to”, “We started off a bit uncertain, but were always too good for Bolton. We could have had five, but we looked a lot better once the first goal went in.” “It’s all Cardiff.” Armand Traoré scored on his home debut on 34 to put Cardiff ahead and Morrison headed in a rebound one minute before the interval to double the City advantage and secure a comfortable win. “Bolton were very poor and if anything, we treated them with too much respect.” “We are the kings of goals following a set-piece situation”, “It’s like watching the Luftwaffe watching us at the moment. Everything is in the air and it’s a war of attrition”, “We would all like champagne football but the result was the important thing on a freezing night against very physical opponents.” EtheridgePeltierMorrisonMangaTraoreRallsGrujicWardPatersonHoilettZohore
With Wildschut replacing the injured Jamie Ward on 13 minutes, the starting XI (above) included all four January additions. “Last night’s team only had six or seven of the ‘settled’ team at the start of the season, yet overall they seemed to gel. More power to Warnock and how he set up his team.” Millwall 1 — 1 Cardiff“A decent point at The Den”, “People moan about us being a physical team but they haven’t seen Millwall play. When one centre-back was booked, they swapped elbowing duties to avoid a sending off. Millwall tactic was to lump it up the pitch at every opportunity, making us look like Barcelona.” Hoilett put Cardiff ahead after three minutes after catching the Lions’ Mahlon Romeo in possession, but Lee Gregory levelled for the hosts on 40 minutes. Referee Keith Stroud ruled out a late City goal after whistling for an earlier freekick but watching City fans felt that they had got their tactics wrong. “We can’t pass the ball, it’s awful to watch. We must be up there as one of the worst passing sides in the league. It has been the same all season, hoof it up and hope for the best”, “This has been awful from City. We don’t deserve anything from the game with negative football and no sign of change.” EtheridgeMangaMorrisonBambaBennettRallsGrujicMendez-LaingPatersonHoilettMadine
“Warnock put out the wrong team [above] and didn’t change it until too late.” This wasn’t a game for the faint-hearted. “We were as guilty as Millwall of lumping the ball upfield as soon as we had possession”, “I have got to be honest, this Warnock team is boring to watch. It was turgid stuff.” Goalkeepers and Defenders“Neil Etheridge dealt with everything he had to impeccably against Middlesbrough.” The 28-year-old summer signing from Walsall “had grown so much in stature this season. He is strong in the air and a good shot-stopper”, “He’s a brave and acrobatic keeper with very safe hands and never spills a ball.”  Neil Etheridge“Etheridge’s kicking has been questioned all season but it has improved lately”, “His main fault has been his distribution. He’s slow at seeing counter-attacks and needs to keep working on his kicking”, “He dominates with his catching from high-pressure set-pieces. He gives his defenders confidence.” “Lee Peltier is our best out and out right-back, he’s solid and reliable.” The 31-year-old ex-Leeds man returned against Bolton following a hip injury. “I hope he is fit enough, he makes a big difference to our defending when he’s in the team. Absolutely nothing comes down his side when he is playing.”  Lee Peltier v Sears“Peltier is happy to put fast, tricky wingers in the stands”, “He stops teams going through us but he lacks creativity going forward”, “He wants to bypass our midfield and hits too many high, hopeful balls that often yield possession”, “He can’t pass the ball 20 yards to feet if his life depended on it.” “Joe Bennett is a strong character who steps up when we are up against it.” The 27-year-old former Villa left-back “has been consistently good this season and is able to overlap and deliver good balls”, “He largely went missing in the second half against Boro and was caught out of position too easily.”  Joe Bennett“Come on Joe, it was a terrible tackle and a straight red.” Bennett was in the spotlight for a foul on Manchester City’s Leroy Sane in the Bluebirds’ recent FA Cup defeat. “He’s a decent player but was a muppet in the Cup game”, “Anyone who knows Joe Bennett knows that he is not a malicious player.” “Bloody hell, Armand Traoré is quick.” The 28-year-old left-back or left winger “is not slow by any means, he has pace, power and height in one package and he gets back quickly to defend”, “He has given us glimpses of his ability, skipping away from his man with pace before pinging in a cross.” “We need to accept that Traoré may have an error or two in him”, “He is sometimes like a headless chicken but you can’t fault his effort”, “He blows hot and cold. He is good on the ball and impressive going forward. He likes a tackle even if some are X-rated and he can look suspect when defending.” “Anyone who worries about Bruno Manga didn’t have to worry today against Middlesbrough.” The 29-year-old ex-Lorient centre-half “is a weak link, often a yard off his man when the ball comes over and he gives it away too often”, “He must learn that defenders don’t always need to attack the ball.” “Manga can pass but is often more likely to cause us a problem”, “He looks uncomfortable in a wider role and gets skinned easily”, “His defensive positioning is excellent but he gets found out by wingers running at him”, “He will not take the risk of overlapping in the final few minutes of a tight game.” “Sol Bamba is comfortable on the ball, he can defend and has an eye for goal.” The 33-year-old ex-Leeds centre-back “is a talisman whose energy and drive are as important as his silky skills”, “Skilful is stretching it, he is prone to making a mistake in every game. He had some below-par games lately.”  Sol Bamba gets sent of against Town (Dec 2016)“Bamba makes brilliant covering tackles, he can read a game and bring a ball out of defence”, “He’s good for dealing with a target man as he relishes the battle”, “He has been solid all season but was shaky at Millwall”, “He was pulled out of position and all over the place by Steve Morison.” Sean Morrison“Take Bamba out and we can cope. Lose Morrison and all hell breaks loose at the back.” The 27-year-old former Reading man “is our best defender by a country mile. He leads by example, is lethal in the box and has been simply fantastic. We look so vulnerable at the back when he is not playing.” “Morrison is an absolute rock and we need his sheer presence. As soon as he was back from his knee injury in January we started to win again, it’s as simple as that”, “He win absolutely everything in the air and he chips in with a fair few goals too”, “His height was predictably causing Boro problems.” Central Midfielders“Warnock trusts Greg Halford as a good player and he brings him on usually late in the game to do a job and he usually does it.” The 33-year-old right-sided or central utility player “is a safe pair of hands who adds steel to the midfield when slotting in. While not being great, he will never let you down.” “Loic Damour introduced an element of control coming on at Millwall.” The 27-year-old one-time Strasbourg man has been a bench option lately. “He adds composure and solidity, but he’s not the answer to our inability to pass the ball. He is handy to bring off the bench, but he’s no playmaker.” “Marko Grujic is not up to speed yet but he’s getting better with each game.” The 21-year-old loan arrival from Liverpool and former Red Star Belgrade man “is trying to adjust to the full blood-and-guts business end of the Championship. His positional play is excellent and he is controlling midfield.” “Grujic is comfortable on the ball and he is always available”, “He cut out the passing lines forcing Boro to go sideways and backwards”, “His anticipation and positioning are good but takes too many touches and slows play down”, “He wants to pass to his team-mates, which is alien to many of us.” “Callum Paterson has been such a revelation since switching to midfield.” The 23-year-old right-back signed from Hearts last summer. “He’s an absolute workhorse, quick, strong and aggressive and he’s brilliant in the air and launches long throws into the box”, “The big Scot with an even bigger heart.” “Players like Paterson don’t come around very often. He has work ethic, passion, pace and a natural finish”, “He is everywhere, breaking up play, looking to create opportunities and he looks to get into danger areas”, “He struggled at Millwall, running too far forward leaving too much space to cover.” Joe Ralls“People at last are beginning to recognise the progress and contribution Joe Ralls has made to our season.” The 24-year-old youth product “is making time to be in the right place at the right time to get good shots in from the edge of the box”, “He runs all day and works hard until the final whistle.”  Joe Ralls“Ralls give the side balance and work rate”, “He doesn’t possess the technical ability to play in the top flight, but he’s a vital link and a steady influence in a team playing high intensity football”, “He has a calm football brain and intelligent movement. He chases, harries and puts in so many tackles.” Wingers“Nathaniel Mendez-Laing needs to get subbed, he’s absolutely terrible. He’s even tackling himself.” The 25-year-old ex-Rochdale man “is a shadow of the player he was at the start of the season”, “He can’t control a ball or dribble, He runs play into touch and can’t pass. It’s like playing with 10 men.” “Mendez-Laing looked a world-beater in August but his confidence is shot”, “Three or four times he kicked the ball out at Millwall, his touch was so bad and it was noticeable that other players weren’t passing to him”, “He was an absolute revelation early in the season but that seems a long time ago.” “Anthony Pilkington’s work-rate is an eight, but his effectiveness is a four.” The 29-year-old former Norwich man has been used from the bench in recent games. “If we need something late on, it has more chance coming from him. He’s a nuisance for defences and could score goals in this team.” “Yanic Wildschut is a key signing in the January window who will make an impact as he finds his feet. He has to ability to play through opponents on the ground.” The 26-year-old ex-Wigan and Norwich winger “is tricky and direct, he looks good with the ball at his feet and he’s not afraid to try things”. “Wildschut was good when he came on against Bolton. He is a quality player who has crazy pace, is decent on the ball and gets in behind defences. He hasn’t played a lot, so will get better with games. I like him”, “He is the kind of player who can break a backline or drag us up the field if we need it.” Junior Hoilett“Hoilett is a class player. He almost glides with the ball at his feet. His quick feet put you in trouble when you go near him. He said last season that you would see a different player when he had a pre-season under his belt and he has recognised the need for him to add goals, which he has now done.”  Junior Hoilett celebrates scoring against townThe 27-year-old former QPR wide man “is our biggest threat and happy to work back to support his full-back”, “He has learned how to fade in and out of games which leaves him with more energy to contribute rather than constantly running”, “He runs riot and he makes everything happen for us.” Strikers“We are all aware of how much Kenneth Zohore chases everything down.” The 24-year-old former KV Kortrijk striker “was a joy to watch Boro, chasing all the way back to win the ball”, “He bullied the Bolton defence and was unplayable. It was good to see the team trying to get the ball to his feet.” “Zohore is a lively striker who holds up play brilliantly, plays perfectly weighted through balls and will force errors”, “I would love to see him improve his ability in the air, for a tall man his headers are no threat whatsoever”, “He scores great long-range shots, but you won’t get 25 of those in a season.” Gary Madine“You can tell that Madine has a lot to his game by looking at his movement and hold-up play.” The newly arrived 27-year-old from Bolton missed the last two games with a broken nose sustained at Millwall. “He’s an old-fashioned target man who does what he does well, bringing others into play.”  Gary Madine (Bolton) v Adeyemi and McGoldrick“Madine is better in the air and at holding the ball up than Zohore, but rarely has anyone supported him”, “He can handle the very close attention of defenders but moves will invariably break down as he has no one near him to receive a pass”, “He will help ensure that we shouldn’t be a soft touch.” Bluebirds’ Views on ITFC and the Game“I know Ipswich is as important I ain't half looking forward to giving the Wurzels [Bristol City] a hiding next Sunday. I can see us winning by four or five, they are terrible.” We may have just played our derby, but Bluebirds’ have their eyes firmly fixed on next weekend’s Severnside encounter. “Real tough game here, I’d take a draw now”, “Take a draw, it has never really been a happy hunting ground for us.” Most City fans would happily come away from Portman Road with a point. They have had little to say about Wednesday’s game so far, but a few watched Sunday’s game at Carrow Road. “I think Ipswich having played Norwich could work in our favour”, “I thought Ipswich were quite tough today and there are a few wind-up merchants in their team. Martyn Waghorn and Joe Garner in particular who were also guilty of diving a lot as was Dominic Iorfa. “They did it so often it must be coached rather than spontaneous so I would expect them to do that against us as well. They have a decent keeper and pack the defence, even at home”, “Having just watched Ipswich live on television I will be shocked if we don't win.” Apart from the remarks above there has been little else to report thus far. I will update the forum on Wednesday afternoon if there is sufficient additional comment and I will link this on my Twitter feed. WebsitesThere are two busy Bluebirds’ message boards. Cardiff City Mad has a range of interesting and well-informed contributors while the Cardiff City Forum also includes threads which cover local media football reports and analysis.
Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to login in order to post your comments |
   Blogs 295 bloggersIpswich Town Polls[ Vote here ] |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
