CALLUM PATERSON: THE TACTICAL TWEAK THAT TRANSFORMED HIM

The tactical tweak behind Callum Paterson's remarkable goalscoring form for Cardiff City
By Ian Mitchelmore

The Scot has netted in his last four games for the Bluebirds, and it's all thanks to Neil Warnock


Callum Paterson has revealed that a tactical shift from manager Neil Warnock is the reason behind his stunning goalscoring form for Cardiff City.

The Scot registered his fourth goal in as many matches with his strike in the Bluebirds' 3-1 win over Burton Albion on Good Friday.

It took his goal tally to nine for the season, despite the fact Paterson has only played 24 Championship matches having missed two-and-a-half months of the season due to the knee injury he suffered at former club Hearts.

And Paterson says Warnock has urged him to arrive late into the box in a bid to improve his threat in-front of goal.

"This is probably the bets goalscoring run I’ve been on," said the 23-year-old.

"I got a few more a couple of seasons ago so I’m trying to reach that target.

"The manager has put me in the position to get in the box at the right time and I’m getting on the end of those balls.

"I’ve played behind the striker before but I was a bit surprised I was chosen to play there with the quality we’ve got.

"He knows I’ll give my all and run, press and do everything for the team. He’s shown faith in me and I’m repaying that now."

Paterson missed 10 months of action through injury between Boxing Day last year and October 2017, although Warnock still persuaded Cardiff's hierarchy to sign the Scotland international in the summer while he was sidelined.

But he has been determined to repay the faith Warnock has showed in him, with Paterson's latest strike seeing him overtake Canadian Junior Hoilett as the Bluebirds' top scorer in the league so far this term.

And Paterson admits that the backing he's had from Warnock has helped him to deliver the goods in the Championship this season.

"It was a horrible year for everyone that was close to me and myself but it’s great to be back playing," admitted Paterson.


"To do well this season would be brilliant in my first season back.

"Positivity was mentioned when Neil signed me but you cant expect promotion in this league with the amount of money that is flying about.

"He said we’d do well and challenge but we’re in a dream position now.

"It shows massive faith to sign me when I’m injured and it’s great for me to be able to repay him with goals. I’m showing the hierarchy that I’m a good signing.

"He came and watched me at Scotland and it’s great for him to watch me."

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Been brilliant for us fair play.

Terrible goal celebrations but long may they continue!

Another superb NW signing and he'll develope brilliantly with him as his manager. Watching the game Friday, one of the highlights for me is just how much this squad are playing for each other.

And I love his Fortnite goal dances - I want to see a couple more at Brammel Lane tomorrow! The 'L' one has been my favourite so far which I will attempt if he scores.

What an incredible story . From injured fullback from the Scottish league to becoming a Kevin Nolan type backbone in our midfield. Great attitude aswell . Paterson wants success bad

Been missing a player like Paterson for years in that role. And I originally said he's not a midfielder! I guess I'll leave picking the positions to warnock from now on!

With Patterson, Bamba, Hoilett and Etheridge plus convincing Morrison, Manga and Bennet all to stay - Warnock's ability to pick a player has been incredible whilst he's been with us and Patterson may even be the pick of the bunch which is incredible!

Callum Paterson on those crazy celebrations, bouncing back from injury and targeting his best ever season with success at Cardiff City

Callum Paterson has been a revelation for Cardiff City since returning to action after a serious knee injury in October.


The Bluebirds signed the Scottish international on a free transfer from Hearts in the summer but an injury meant he wouldn’t feature during the opening months of the season.

However, since returning Paterson has been billed the signing of the season by many in South Wales, scoring nine goals in 24 league appearances – that’s more than star striker Kenneth Zohore.

It’s been some turnaround for a player who was crushed by the news of his long-term injury towards the end of last season

But spending all those days in the treatment room, watching his new team-mates set the pace in the Championship, has made the success since his return taste all the sweeter.

“It was a horrible year for everyone who was close to me and especially myself,” said the Scotsman. “But it’s great to be back, and playing a big part is such a great thing.

“Obviously, to do well this season in the Championship would be a great way to have my first season back in football.

“It’s a position not a lot of people have been in and they won’t be in during their career so at the moment we are relishing it.”

The Bluebirds signed Paterson on a free transfer in the summer but they did pay Hearts compensation for their part in bringing him into the professional game.

Neil Warnock admitted that he had to work hard to convince the Cardiff City hierarchy to sign the player given that they knew he wouldn’t play a part until late October.

And it was a gamble, too, with many players struggling to reach the same heights after such a serious knee injury.

However, Paterson has repaid his new manager’s blind faith with excellent displays since coming into the team – even if it’s in a much more advanced position than first planned – and he admits it was a nice feeling for Warnock to trust in his abilities and look past the injury.

“It shows massive faith in me and it’s good to be able to repay him by scoring goals and playing higher up the park. I am showing the hierarchy that I’ve been a good signing, a good acquisition and that’s good for me.

“I have played there (behind the striker) before. I was a bit surprised with the quality of the squad at the moment. He (Warnock) knows I’ll give my all, I’ll run and I’ll press, do everything for the team. Thankfully he showed faith in me and I hope I’m repaying him.”

Warnock even took time out during the international break to watch Paterson in his return to the Scotland squad and that didn’t go unnoticed. The 23-year-old added: “He came up and watched me, it wasn’t the best game to come and watch but he shows that he’s thinking about me and it was great for me.”

The move to South Wales required Paterson to make the big step up to English football and the Championship famously takes no prisoners.

However, it’s been a breeze for the former Hearts man and the Bluebirds’ incredible form has certainly helped him fit in nicely.

Warnock’s men are now on a run of eight consecutive wins, with the victory over Burton Albion also making it 12 unbeaten in the league, but that’s not the best run Paterson has been involved in. He revealed: “I played in the Championship with Hearts and I think we won about 27 in a row!

“It was absolutely unbelievable but playing in a league like this where the quality is unbelievable, it’s totally different.

“The quality of opposition is completely different, with no disrespect to anybody. We went down in difficult circumstances and came back up but here, in the Championship, the quality is massive and it’s one of the most difficult leagues in the world.

“It’s all down to the changing room where we are all a group of friends, we all do everything together. It’s all about team morale and working together.

“It’s a cliché saying there’s a long way to go but if everything turns out the way we are hoping it turns out then it would be 100% the best season of my career.”

Paterson has played a big part in that run himself, scoring in four consecutive games to take his tally to nine for the season.

But he’s still targeting more as he looks to surpass his best goal scoring season which came in 2013/14, when he managed 11 with Hearts.

“It probably is the best goals for games I’ve had, but I scored a couple more for the season before so I’m looking to get more.

“It’s down to the manager putting me in that position and I’m getting into the box at the right time.”

And what about those crazy celebrations? What’s the season behind those very unique dances after finding the net? Paterson revealed his inspiration, he said: “They’re from the game Fortnite, on the PS4.

“All the boys have been playing it as well and all the boys in Scotland were playing as well. All our boys play it, they’re not very good at it and I’m probably the best but yeah, the celebration is just off the game.”