FA Cup-Strong Cardiff City team of 'reserves' available!

The really strong Cardiff City team of 'reserves' Neil Warnock could choose to field in FA Cup clash with Fulham

It's a side packed with talent, underlining just how many players are on the Bluebirds' books


BY PAUL ABBANDONATO


Wednesday 4 JAN 2017

You can debate the quality of Cardiff City's starting XI in comparison to the teams setting the pace in the top half of the Championship.

But what you cannot do is doubt the quantity of talent available to Bluebirds manager Neil Warnock, who says he will use Sunday's FA Cup third round clash with Fulham to give fringe players a game.

Not giving the great old competition the respect it deserves, some may argue.

But the truth is Warnock, if he so chooses, could decide to leave out every single player from the starting XI who beat Aston Villa on Bank Holiday Monday... and STILL field a really strong Bluebirds team packed with skill, know-how, goal-getting ability and Premier League experience.

Neil Warnock makes honest admission to fans as he reveals plan for FA Cup team selection
Warnock will probably mix and match a little. But even if he wanted to go the whole hog for complete change, he could name an X1 who would be more than a match for Fulham.

Here's the incredibly powerful Bluebirds reserve XI Warnock could choose to field in the FA Cup. We're sure you'll agree it's a pretty strong looking line-up for a so-called second string...

Ben Amos

Anyone who has Manchester United appearances to his name, albeit a limited number, has to have talent.


At 26, Amos already has bags of experience to his name and will be out with a point to prove, having lost his place to Brian Murphy as Cardiff's first-choice goalkeeper.

Amos was dropped following the 4-3 calamity at home to Barnsley, as Cardiff fans had it rammed home to them just how special David Marshall had been between the sticks for so many years.

Ben Wilson is another option, although Murphy may well play again. Amos is in the mix, though.

Jazz Richards

Jazz Richards is ready to return
The Wales defender, who played in the opening Euro 2016 win against Slovakia, has been frustrated by knee and calf problems since his move to Cardiff.

However, he is fit again and ready to make his mark against former club Fulham and prove to Warnock he can become a genuine rival to Lee Peltier for the regular right-back berth in 2017.

Matt Connolly

You have to have sympathy for Connolly. He doesn't do too much wrong, yet throughout his Cardiff career he has either been shunted to right-back (where he has invariably excelled) or left out of the team altogether because of the array of strong centre-backs available.

With Bruno Manga leaving for the African Cup of Nations and Sean Morrison likely to be rested, Connolly may well be Warnock's defensive kingpin against Fulham.

Lots of clubs in the Championship would love a centre-back of his class, but he's very much fourth choice for the Bluebirds, with Sol Bamba very much a first pick since joining.

Semi Ajayi

Young centre-back who arrived at Cardiff from Arsenal full of promise, but who has yet to kick on.

Warnock may well choose to go with Connolly and Bamba (back at centre-half and as captain) for the Fulham game to give a more solid foundation to the team, but Ajayi is itching for the chance to show what he can do, too

Declan John


Declan John in his Premier League days, playing against Arsenal (Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Remember him? Three years ago it seemed as if John, a Premier League regular for the Bluebirds, was about to challenge Neil Taylor and Ben Davies for the Wales left-back berth.

Then Russell Slade, for some bizarre reason, chose to prefer the limited Scott Malone as his left-back and John's career went backwards fast.

Has tried to force his way into the team this season, but his last four appearances finished in defeat - to Burton, Derby, Preston and Norwich.

Perhaps too swashbuckling for a Warnock full-back, but he can look to show the defensive side of his game against Fulham.

Still only 21 and with plenty of time on his side.

Stuart O'Keefe

Stuart O'Keefe celebrates scoring against Bristol City
When he finally broke into the team last season O'Keefe brought a much-needed fresh energy to the midfield, but he's had to make do with being a bit-part figure again this time around.

Will relish the opportunity to actually start a game, another who can prove what he can do at the base of the midfield.

You'd think Warnock would like the combative qualities he could bring to the

Emyr Huws

Can Cardiff get more out of Wales star Emyr Huws?
The Wales international, who scored at Cardiff City Stadium against the Netherlands, arrived with a blossoming reputation during the summer but it hasn't happened for him yet.

Has actually played as many times for Wales as the Bluebirds this season - three appearances apiece.

Physical, box to box, great header of the ball, athletic, good in possession, he has plenty of talent and scores goals.

If, as expected, he plays against Fulham, he'll be out to show Warnock what he can do.

Lex Immers

Another of the forgotten men who could get the nod against Fulham. Or, if he wanted, Warnock could even choose Peter Whittingham, calf injury permitting, which would make the side even stronger.

Whittingham missed the win over Aston Villa, with some fans arguing Warnock's midfield of Sol Bamba, Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls brought more vibrancy to the midfield.

Immers was a regular under Paul Trollope, but has been more out than in under Warnock.

But he possesses creativity and guile, can either play 10 or up front and while he lacks pace the Dutchman is a great reader of the game. Classic example of the first five yards being in his head.

He'd love a goalscoring return in the FA Cup.

Came on early against Villa, but found himself behind Junior Hoilett and Kadeem Harris in the winger pecking order.

At his very best, Noone can hit real heights and did occasionally for the Bluebirds in the Premier League.

But while his work-rate has been excellent under Warnock, Noone hasn't managed a single goal this season.

For a bloke of his undoubted talent and shooting power, that's nowhere near good enough. An apt time for a season opener in the cup, then.

Anthony Pilkington

There are plenty of teams in the Championship who would make Pilkington one of the first names on their team-sheet.

Another who won't be completely happy with his goal return this season and who has flitted in and out of the team under Warnock.

Did net in two of his last three games, versus Wolves and Barnsley, but had to kick his heels in frustration on the bench against Villa.

Not a bad bloke to have starting in the FA Cup, mind.

Rickie Lambert


Rickie Lambert can be hugely effective
Cardiff's marquee capture of the summer, the ex-England centre-forward was meant to fire the goals which could help launch a play-off push and provide real know-how and leadership.

A mix of injuries and the sudden emergence of Kenneth Zohore have meant Lambert has had limited game time in recent weeks, but provide him with the right service and he'll score goals.

Lambert will look to do just that against Fulham.

SUBS:

Ben Wilson

Started three Championship games this season, Reading, Norwich and Preston, but unfortunately Cardiff lost the lot.

Sol Bamba

Having just returned from suspension he may need game time. One of only two starters against Villa in this reserve XI.

Peter Whittingham

Calf injury ruled him out of the excellent victory against Aston Villa. Will he be fit again?

Tommy O'Sullivan

Creative midfielder once named Welsh young player of the year, but who only has Cardiff cup appearances to his name.

Matt Kennedy

Looked so promising when he first joined Cardiff form Everton, bringing much zest, pace and creativity to Russell Slade's front line. But quickly lost his place.

Federic Gounongbe

Handed the number nine shirt at the start of the season so supposedly was meant to be first choice goal-getter. Still has plenty to prove.

Kenneth Zohore

Who could have forseen his sudden emergence? The second of the starting XI against Villa to make this match-day squad. Not a bad bench either, is it?

Not a bad team if I am honest.

I know this, the combined lot of them are costing us a fortune and mostly bought in last two years, so they should be capable of getting us a result

Glad we have an incredibly strong reserve team. Does'nt make a lot of sense to me considering our first team are just outside the relegation zone. I suppose everyone has different views as to what a strong team is. Personally, I think it is impossible for us to field an incredibly strong side of any sorts. If we could, we would be at the top of the league and not just outside the bottom three.

Glad we have an incredibly strong reserve team. Does'nt make a lot of sense to me considering our first team are just outside the relegation zone. I suppose everyone has different views as to what a strong team is. Personally, I think it is impossible for us to field an incredibly strong side of any sorts. If we could, we would be at the top of the league and not just outside the bottom three.

Good points!

All they have to do is want it - we will see a lot about individual attitudes in this game, if huws wants to be here the game is open for him to run. Immerse has an opportunity but I don't think he'll turn up and also Jazz Richards can get back off on a good foot

Immers is a shell of the player he was last season.

It's as if he's woken up and completely lost his confidence and his ability to go forward. There were points last season where you would look at Immers and question why he would want to stay at City? He looked a force. He was the only player chasing balls down, wanting to get the ball and go forward. This season that seems to be more the rest of the team and not him. I would love to see the player he was last season return. Maybe a goal against Fulham in the cup will give him a huge confidence boost

Immers is a shell of the player he was last season.

It's as if he's woken up and completely lost his confidence and his ability to go forward. There were points last season where you would look at Immers and question why he would want to stay at City? He looked a force. He was the only player chasing balls down, wanting to get the ball and go forward. This season that seems to be more the rest of the team and not him. I would love to see the player he was last season return. Maybe a goal against Fulham in the cup will give him a huge confidence boost

I think he is a bit too wrapped up in his darts and tournament he does,I feel his heart is elsewhere and that could be the tip of the iceberg! He has talked about going back to his old club plus his family etc etc, perhaps he just wants to move on!

To say we have a strong team of reserves given our current league position does seem a bit contradictory but I think it's true to a certain degree and shows how much we have underachieved so far this season and I include Warnocks stint so far in that.

To say we have a strong team of reserves given our current league position does seem a bit contradictory but I think it's true to a certain degree and shows how much we have underachieved so far this season and I include Warnocks stint so far in that.

I disagree, there's a lot of wasted money and dead wood and yet again, quite a lot of new dead wood.

Warnock in my opinion 100% can not be blamed for League position, I am shocked you have blamed him, Warnock inherited TROLLOPE'S players and we were going down under Trollope.

To say we have a strong team of reserves given our current league position does seem a bit contradictory but I think it's true to a certain degree and shows how much we have underachieved so far this season and I include Warnocks stint so far in that.

I disagree, there's a lot of wasted money and dead wood and yet again, quite a lot of new dead wood.

Warnock in my opinion 100% can not be blamed for League position, I am shocked you have blamed him, Warnock inherited TROLLOPE'S players and we were going down under Trollope.

Don't put words in my mouth mate, I haven't blamed Warnock.

I said we have underachieved so far this season, including under Warnock's stint so far.

EVERYONE is to blame for that, from the players, to the managers, to the coaching staff, to the Chairman.

Not a bad team , but we will definitely be up against it, he only picked 10 .

We may have the numbers here, but not the quality. A lot of mediocre players have been signed in recent times, and that is what we have to deal with unfortunately. A squad with a minimal amount of quality, and a lot of fairly ordinary players. For now we just have to hope that Warnock can get them battling as hard as possible to make up for lack of quality, but even that will only get you so far. Going to be some tricky times ahead, desperately need to add some decent players, offload some of the deadwood, but easier said than done when there is hardly any money to play with.
I think survival has to be the priority for now, and hopefully with two or three transfer windows behind him, Warnock can build a team possibly capable of a top ten or so finish next season. Providing he stays here, and I don't think I would be putting too much money on that.
Does'nt matter what side we put out against Fulham, we don't have the players here for a comfortable passage to the next round so may as well give some of the others a crack.

To say we have a strong team of reserves given our current league position does seem a bit contradictory but I think it's true to a certain degree and shows how much we have underachieved so far this season and I include Warnocks stint so far in that.

I disagree, there's a lot of wasted money and dead wood and yet again, quite a lot of new dead wood.

Warnock in my opinion 100% can not be blamed for League position, I am shocked you have blamed him, Warnock inherited TROLLOPE'S players and we were going down under Trollope.

and who did Trollope inherit ?
problem with putting players out there to be in the shop window is they will then be cup tied.

Slade failed JUST mind you from the top 6 and we were safe in the mid table with many of this squad however Trollop took us to the bottom of the league with a terrible win rate and a terrible goal difference without doubt we would have been down and I thought we were doomed.

Evan with Warnock who is experienced and knows the game and was the best manager out there for our needs the players needed a lot of confidence into them.

Warnock has done that very well but I fear certain players will never be good enough or just do not care for the club they play for as for Immers maybe he doesnt like Warnock as I am sure some players wonmt like him if so bye bye and good luck Immers
as without warnock we would be in a league 1 with a bunch of over paid lazy players

Is it me or have they only named 10 players??