' FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TODAYS MATCH '
By Chris Wathan
Saturday 11th March 2017
Here's what we learned from the match...
Cardiff City 1 Birmingham City 1
Richards growing in confidence with every game
He turned in an excellent performance in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn at Ewood Park in midweek, and Jazz Richards backed it up with another fine display against Birmingham.
The Wales full-back was a constant threat on the right wing and proved equally solid in defence.
Club icon Nathan Blake said earlier this week that fans are fully aware of just how good he is.
But Richards is certainly starting to reward Neil Warnock's faith in him with a string of impressive displays that could well catch the eye of Chris Coleman as the full-back looks to return to the Wales fold.
The crowds are coming
Neil Warnock stressed his desire for the fans to back the Bluebirds next season as they look to launch a push for promotion into the promised land of the Premier League.
And supporters responded by filling out the stadium against Gianfranco Zola's men.
It was telling that in the 73rd minute the fans burst into a chorus of "Neil Warnock's barmy army" in support of the Yorkshireman who has worked wonders since at the club since replacing Paul Trollope in October.
And it could well be a sign of things to come if the Bluebirds can fulfil Warnock's ambitions of launching a genuine challenge for promotion in the 2017/18 campaign.
What does the future hold for Peter Whittingham?
Having been dropped after his first start in six outings, you do wonder what the future now holds for Peter Whittingham. Having said a month or so ago the offer of a new contract was on the table for the long-serving midfielder, Warnock's admission that all such talks are on hold as he works out his wage budget reminds that there will be little room for romanticism when it comes to plans for next season.
The 32-year-old is surely among those who Warnock has said are playing for their futures and it remains to be seen if he is given an opportunity to do that from here on in.
The Bluebirds, of course, know all about what Whittingham can do (indeed, he can do what he wants as their song goes) but whether it fits into the plans for Warnock's 2017/18 Cardiff is another thing.
Warnock's style of play not as predictable as some think
When people talk about Warnock, they inevitably talk about a certain style of play. It is true that Cardiff often don't see as much of the ball as their opponents, and it is also true they make the most of set-pieces and positions around the 18-yard box, this game was an illustration that it's hardly route one stuff.
Yes, Cardiff have had joy by being direct under their new boss, but they showed here they can be comfortable on the ball and will work the pitch.
Players looked for the pass, looked to build at the right times and had a bit of patience to boot. In fact, it can be easily argued that things were more predictably long ball under Russell Slade.
Improving concentration is a must
Neil Warnock has talked about his side having to improve if they really want to push for promotion next season, and you'd assume concentration in the final stages of games will be right up on the list at this moment.
Just a few days after being denied a good away win at Blackburn in the final throes of a game, so too were the Bluebirds undone with minutes remaining back on their own patch.
This one will have hurt Warnock more given that this was Cardiff's game to win, deserving after a solid showing where Gianfranco Zola's struggling side didn't really threaten in the same way Blackburn did.
It highlighted that there is still tightening needed at the back, but more significantly that there is a need to put teams away when they have the chance. That's what will mark a promotion team out – a team that takes away your hope – and the Bluebirds are not there yet.
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