Updated ' What a week '

What a week!

By Dominic Booth

Monday 27th November 2017

Despair would be the wrong word to describe Cardiff's reaction to their 2-1 Severnside derby defeat before the international break. It wasn't exactly a crisis was it?

But there was a tangible sense that the Bluebirds needed to produce a response in the ensuing matches once the interlude was over.

In-form Brentford at home, hard-to-beat Barnsley away and a trip to formidable Nottingham Forest represented a difficult week by anyone's standards. Neil Warnock knew that better than anyone.

What's more, Cardiff would have to do it without Kenneth Zohore or Nathaniel Mendez-Laing playing a single minute, Aron Gunnarsson was a bit-part figure too.


And while the Bluebirds enjoyed a slice of fortune against the Bees and the Tykes, there was nothing lucky about this win.

Yes, Forest had their moments and yes, Cardiff were forced to call upon their (excellent defence) throughout the game, but once Junior Hoilett and Danny Ward had struck in the first half, there was no way back for Forest. And so Cardiff picked up a win against a side who'd won their previous four at home. How impressive is that?

It means Warnock's troops end a testing week with nine points, just four off league leaders Wolves. They ensure the West Midlanders don't run away from the chasing pack.

Crucially, it means the Bluebirds have put 11 points between themselves and seventh-placed Middlesbrough, making them well set for the play-offs at the very least.

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Possession struggles versus Cardiff (again)


By Dominic Booth


Monday 27th November 2017


It's becoming a well-established formula: teams who dominate possession struggle to get a result against Warnock's Cardiff.

What sounds like a lazy generalisation once again mapped itself out on the pitch, as Forest's pass-pass-pass approach had a numbing affect on the City Ground faithful and allowed Cardiff's energetic midfielders to disrupt their opposite numbers - just as they had done at Wolves, against Aston Villa and against Brentford.

Warnock consistently proves there is more than one way to skin a cat.



In employing a midfield three of Loic Damour, Joe Ralls and Craig Bryson, he out-smarted Mark Warburton, whose front four were a talented quartet but couldn't get in positions to hurt Cardiff because defensive midfield duo Ben Osborn and David Vaughan were denied time and space to dictate the play.

Sol Bamba, as he always does, made the right challenge at the right time and there was a mature display from Sean Morrison too.

Just 31 per cent of the ball, two shots on target... but actually a victory that was wholly deserved. Work that one out, statisticians.

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Paterson proves himself on the wing

Monday 27th November 2017

By Dominic Booth

If Callum Paterson's late Oakwell heroics overshadowed a rather mixed display on the right wing against Barnsley, this time the Scot showed what he his capable of in a more advanced position.

Winning headers and muscling past his marker is just half the story; Paterson is about so much more than physicality. He possesses a rapid football brain and an eye for a pass that make him Warnock's cup of tea.


Perhaps it was Forest's slack defending, with Armand Traore a reluctant defender from left-back, but Paterson's channel saw the visitors forge countless forays into Nottingham territory both first and second half.

With right-back sensation Bruno Manga overlapping, Warnock has found a new right flank combination that, without the influential Mendez-Laing, has been extraordinarily effective.

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Who knew Danny Ward had that in his locker?

By Dominic Booth


Monday 27th November 2017


From what we've seen of Ward in a Cardiff shirt so far, it would be fair to describe him as a poacher. A quick forward who relies on decent service. A fast runner up front who feeds on scraps.

But perhaps we've been doing the former Rotherham forward an almighty disservice. His thumping 38th minute strike into the top corner deserved to win any football match and showcased a player with no shortage of talent.



What made it more satisfying for Ward - who has now scored four goals in five Cardiff starts - is that he made it all himself. Bruno Manga hit a long ball down the channel, Paterson tried to flick it on but when it fell at Ward's feet, he was 40 yards from goal.

The blond-haired No.9 then ran at the red shirts, slalomed inside on his left foot to unleash a thronker that gave Jordan Smith simply no chance.

It also came at a time when Forest were threatening to cancel out Hoilett's opener. But in that one moment, Ward lifted everyone in blue and it was plain sailing from thereon in.

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