Gary Medel's Poor Form recently & City are Suffering from it

Scott Johnson:
El Pitbul has lost his bite and Cardiff City's Premier League form is suffering
13th Dec 2013


On the eve of the big game against West Brom, lifelong Cardiff City fan and author of The Blues are Up Scott Johnson takes a look at Gary Medel's form


Gary Medel has played in every game for Cardiff City in the Premier League

It is surely not a coincidence that Cardiff’ City's poor recent form has corresponded with a deterioration in Gary Medel’s performances.

City’s record signing and most instrumental player was their key man during the autumn, but the arrival of winter has seen a steady decline in his influence.

It was to be expected with the amount of games and travelling he has already clocked up this season, starting every league game for his new club thus far.

He has missed only the final couple of minutes of the draw with Everton and was also withdrawn in consecutive games against Chelsea, Norwich and Swansea.

His international commitments are bound to have taken their toll. Since June, he has returned to Chile on three occasions, travelled to Geneva and Colombia.

Ahead of the recent draw with champions Manchester United, he also made a 7,000 mile round trip to include friendlies against England at Wembley plus Brazil in Canada.

Better players than Medel will be rendered ineffective by Arsenal’s swift interplay, but his listless, heavy-legged performances against Stoke and Crystal Palace are a genuine cause for concern. These are the types of games when his role as a destroyer in front of the back four is essential, but he was a mere passenger. He received a measly four out of ten in this paper and his ‘little or no impact’ was also commented upon.

With Malky’s men struggling to make any headway or impact at the other end of the pitch, Medel’s experience and form are a vital component of Cardiff’s potential improvement. But as good as he is, they would be better off giving him a breather if he is tired or out of form.

Aron Gunnarsson may not be a specialist in the same mould, but a partnership with the impressive Jordon Mutch would represent a solid alternative at the base of midfield.

Rotation will be key in the coming weeks and while Medel will be used to putting his feet up over the festive period during the two-week La Liga break, Cardiff play three games in six days, which will be a real culture shock.

A huge fan favourite, it would be interesting to know how Medel is settling in Cardiff and his thoughts on his side’s current form. Having secured World Cup qualification with Chile, returning to South Wales for a relegation battle with inferior players must be something of a comedown.

He has already demonstrated the character and drive that can inspire Cardiff against beatable opponents in the coming weeks. Hopefully his dip in form is only temporary and he can once again inspire those around him, sooner rather than later.

Don't think he will still be here next summer.

Don't think he will still be here next summer.

Probably not used to playing on his own penalty spot for most of the game. Push him 15 yards further up the pitch as we did in Fulham and he can be a major influence on the game.
Even try him at centre half where he plays for chile at least then we can play a different formation to keep teams guessing

Don't think he will still be here next summer.

Probably not used to playing on his own penalty spot for most of the game. Push him 15 yards further up the pitch as we did in Fulham and he can be a major influence on the game.
Even try him at centre half where he plays for chile at least then we can play a different formation to keep teams guessing

He's doing OK.

It's been a gruelling 3 months so far for him, he'll have had a weeks rest now and will be firing again today.

Let's not forget he was the best player on the pitch against Swansea, Man City, Fulham, and arguably (as Rooney was excellent) Man Utd. And OUR best outfield player in several others

Don't think he will still be here next summer.

Probably not used to playing on his own penalty spot for most of the game. Push him 15 yards further up the pitch as we did in Fulham and he can be a major influence on the game.
Even try him at centre half where he plays for chile at least then we can play a different formation to keep teams guessing

He's doing OK.

It's been a gruelling 3 months so far for him, he'll have had a weeks rest now and will be firing again today.

Let's not forget he was the best player on the pitch against Swansea, Man City, Fulham, and arguably (as Rooney was excellent) Man Utd. And OUR best outfield player in several others

very well said, people just seem to always focus on the negatives

fantastic signing but I do think perhaps he needs a rest, or pushing further up field. Its ok people saying "only focus on the negatives" but without blinkers on we are negative at the moment and key players need some bench time to pick themselves up. We are not creating enough so why not jumble things around a bit

fantastic signing but I do think perhaps he needs a rest, or pushing further up field. Its ok people saying "only focus on the negatives" but without blinkers on we are negative at the moment and key players need some bench time to pick themselves up. We are not creating enough so why not jumble things around a bit

fair enough comment but who would you play instead of him?,its not the time to be resting key players. whitts and cowie have been far less effective than medel has