Thu Jul 26, 2018 9:36 am
Joe Ralls is a one-man Cardiff City midfield and why fans shouldn't panic after Rotherham United defeat
Thursday 26th July 2018
By Dominic Booth
The key talking points after the Bluebirds tasted pre-season defeat at the New York Stadium
Cardiff City's 2-1 defeat to Rotherham United is certainly a scare, nothing more.
With Neil Warnock insisting he remained happy with his side's pre-season progress so far after the final whistle, all the Bluebirds can do is move onto the next game against Burton Albion in better shape having learned lessons.
But despite Josh Murphy's early goal - another for the impressive new signing - the defeat to the Millers has thrown up some concerns ahead of the Premier League opener at Bournemouth.
Here are the main talking points from the game at the New York Stadium...
Wing back trial
We thought Warnock may experiment with a wing-back system at some stage and Cardiff's teamsheet at Rotherham confirmed it,
Perhaps the 3-4-3 that the Bluebirds played for the opening 45 minutes is a way of fitting both Greg Cunningham and Joe Bennett into the same side, the former playing as a left-sided centre-back and the latter encouraged to surge forward.
And forward he went, Bennett, looking like a threatening attacking outlet in the first half, yet he was exposed by the Millers right winger Jon Taylor for Matt Palmer's goal.
Playing with a three-man central defence gives opponents the chance to target the corridor between centre-back and wing-back. That's something Cardiff will have to prepare for if they play that way again.
For what it's worth, Warnock didn't blame the system for his side's lacklustre display, more the nature of some individual performances.
"There will be times this season when we have to use that," said the boss.
"It's a good idea to try it and I don't think it was the system. I think one or two lads could have done a bit more in that first half, the way we play that system."
Central midfield is a pressing priority
If Cardiff fans are honest with themselves, they would admit that - of any area last season - central midfield and a lack of control in that area was an Achilles at times.
And now the Bluebirds find themselves on the cusp of a campaign in the top flight with the same players as last term in those positions - minus two key men.
Craig Bryson has returned to play his football at Derby County and the struggle to re-sign Marko Grujic from Liverpool continues.
Warnock struggled to hide his frustration after the final whistle that he'd not yet been able to add to his midfield armoury.
As impressive as Joe Ralls has looked in pre-season, new signings are needed. And quick. It may be that Grujic alone isn't enough, as Warnock himself suggested after the game. Cardiff find must a midfield general capable of dominating that area of the pitch.