" TACTICTAL MYSTERY CHANGED THE GAME "

Neil Warnock's tactical mastery changed the game

Bristol C 2 Cardiff C 3

14/01/17

By Paul Abbadanato


Cardiff's manager went with a three at the back approach at the start, which was really six if you include goalkeeper Murphy and two full-backs Lee Peltier and Joe Bennett who weren't overly-adventurous.

With Peter Whittingham, Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls in the midfield, it meant the Bluebirds were one-paced, one-dimensional and lacking in any numbers, creative edge or cutting thrust going forward.

Poor Kenneth Zohore was left isolated up top too often, with Pilkington not close enough to him.

It was a team set up not to lose and once Cardiff went a goal behind Warnock had no option but to roll the dice and send on Junior Hoilett and Kadeem Harris in a far more offensive-looking line-up.

Whittingham and Bennett made way and Cardiff looked far better for the changes made by their manager.

Warnock switched to 4-4-2, Hoilett and Harris were hugely influential as the substitutions turned the game.

Football can be about reacting... and Warnock reacted decisively.

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A plan B??? haven't had that at Cardiff City for a very long time

Warnock is the Mourhinho of the championship.

Except....he got the formation and tactics wrong at the start, as he did v. Fulham. At least this time he made the right changes and, hopefully, realises we cannot play five at the back.
Hoilett and Harris must start next week.

Yes I'm surprised Hoilett didn't start. He's better than just a bench player. I hope Warnock starts the finishing 11 for the next match.

Yet again we seemed to look better when Whitts went off.

I'm honestly not one to criticise Whitts constantly and I still think he has something to offer but the shape looked better when he went off and I was a little surprised to see him starting after missing the Villa game, although I suppose technically, with Bamba going back to centre half it left a midfield place that needed to be filled.

I did worry a bit though when I saw Pilkington taking the penalty! It was not a great penalty by any means but it went in so who cares?

his system might have worked and may work against another team but at least he had a plan b and took it as so many times many supporters have been shouting how to change things and we never did under so many managers in the past is shocking so well happy to go behind twice and win??? when have we done that

his system might have worked and may work against another team but at least he had a plan b and took it as so many times many supporters have been shouting how to change things and we never did under so many managers in the past is shocking so well happy to go behind twice and win??? when have we done that

Agreed.

Showed strong character today.

Annis did you see the guy fall up the stairs funny as hell at least he took it well lol

Annis did you see the guy fall up the stairs funny as hell at least he took it well lol

I thought the starting 11 was poor,no pace or shape, but fair play Warnock did what he had to do,sign of a top manager.

I thought the starting 11 was poor,no pace or shape, but fair play Warnock did what he had to do,sign of a top manager.

We need those 2 or 3 players in now so we can start with a dangerous team and still have pace to bring off the bench.