What Neil Warnock has changed since his arrival at Cardiff City
By Joseph Rose
Thursday 16th February 2017
Cardiff City climbed into the top half of the Championship for the first time this season following a stunning 4-3 victory at play-off chasing Derby County.
The dramatic match saw Derby race into a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes, only for a Kadeem Harris double and a superb Craig Noone strike to give Cardiff a shock lead, which was cancelled out by a Darren Bent equaliser. However, in added time, Joe Ralls’ last gasp penalty secured an unlikely victory for Cardiff in an incredible game.
The comeback win over Derby continues the Bluebirds remarkable change in fortunes since the arrival of Neil Warnock in October, with City moving from a relegation battle to a realistic fight for a top half finish in the space of less than five months.
So what has changed since Neil Warnock’s arrival?
Fighting spirit has returned to Cardiff City
Cardiff’s 2-0 defeat at Burton in October proved the final straw for former boss Paul Trollope, and it was painful for City fans to see the lack of fight from the side that day.
This was a regular occurrence in the early part of the season, with the Bluebirds defeated by the likes of QPR, Leeds, Preston and Derby with incredible ease. But since Neil Warnock’s arrival, we have seen a never-say-die attitude from the players which has been missing since City’s promotion season in 2012/13.
Tuesday night’s result is a perfect example of the fighting spirit installed by Warnock that has seen a dramatic change in fortunes for City.
Even in defeats to Aston Villa, Barnsley, Newcastle and Brighton during Warnock’s reign, the Bluebirds gave an excellent account of themselves that has made the fans proud and given them a reason to believe of a real promotion push next season.
Improving defence giving City platform to attack
On paper, Cardiff have one of the best defences in the league. Bruno Manga would walk into most teams in the Championship, while Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison, Matt Connolly, Lee Peltier, Joe Bennett and Jazz Richards are all very capable defenders at this level.
However, this season has seen the Bluebirds struggle at the back, with City keeping just one clean sheet prior to Warnock’s arrival.
There has been a dramatic improvement in the defences’ performances over the last few weeks, which is down to Warnock’s defensive organisation skills.
The additions of Sol Bamba and Allan McGregor has added much needed experience which is needed in this relentless league, and despite conceding three poor goals to Derby, there have been signs in recent weeks, especially at Leeds, that the defence is starting to preform to their best abilities.
Goals no longer a problem for Bluebirds
There’s no denying that if Cardiff are to compete at the top end of the Championship next season, a prolific striker will be required and Warnock has already identified that for the summer.
Before his arrival though, the Bluebirds had been scoreless in eight of Trollope’s twelve league and cup games, which is a terribly poor record. This has completely changed under Warnock, with City scoring blanks in just four of his 22 games as City boss.
Warnock has been able to identify the strengths of his side – there is a huge emphasis on set-pieces and Aron Gunnarsson’s long throw in order to get City into good positions in matches.
The reintroduction of young striker Kenneth Zohore has worked wonders for City. He may not be the most prolific (three goals this season), but his work rate is unquestionable and he has been able to bring out the best of the players behind him, such as Kadeem Harris and Joe Ralls.
Warnock’s honesty is refreshing in season of transition for Bluebirds
For years, the Bluebird supporters have been put through many difficult times. From relegation to the Premier League, to the fight for reverse of the rebrand, to the sudden cost-cutting measures put on the club as a consequence of a transfer embargo and even the constant changes of managers.
The supporters have often questioned the direction of the club, if the club were hiding anything significant from the fans, and whether the glory days of the previous ten years were a distant memory.
One thing Neil Warnock has brought to the table is honesty. He has never been shy to express his opinion on he needs to improve the side.
He recently admitted he would need around £6 million worth of investment from Vincent Tan in order to turn City in promotion challenges. Not many managers would be so open about it, but the supporters respect Warnock for his honesty.
Whether Cardiff have played well or poorly, Warnock will say it as it is. Warnock wants to challenge as much as the supporters and recent results have made the Bluebirds dream again.
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