Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier Lea
Sat Sep 29, 2018 11:50 am
Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier League and there's one man who simply has to step up -
By Scott Johnson
Saturday 29th September 2018
A thought occurred to me as I watched Cardiff’s humbling at the hands of Manchester City at the weekend: are they straying too far from what made them successful last season?
Don’t get me wrong, Cardiff are simply not equipped to cope with a team of Man City’s calibre. Not many are in world football, let alone the Premier League. This is a team for the ages and if anything, 5-0 flattered Cardiff.
Maybe Cardiff could have used a slightly different set of variables and managed to limit the score somewhat, but they were out of their depth for the first time this season. They gave Arsenal a fright and were competitive at Chelsea, but couldn’t lay a glove on Pep Guardiola’s men.
Burnley are up next and offer a polar opposite challenge. They are the team that Cardiff are trying to emulate, on and off the pitch. The hierarchy often allude to this.
Burnley play a Burnley way and buy Burnley players. They’re good at it too, remarkably finishing seventh last year and qualifying for Europe in the process.
Neil Warnock will lock horns with Sean Dyche on Sunday
If this is seen as one of Cardiff’s winnable games then heaven help them!
Burnley have made a poor start to the season, but have begun their ascent with a thumping 4-0 win against Bournemouth last week. It should be a game that suits Cardiff because they play the same brand of blood and guts football. Or maybe they don’t anymore.
There was a lot of pre-season focus on Cardiff’s need to evolve in order to compete in the Premier League, and with good reason. They were too reliant on set pieces and being able to overpower opponents.
The calls to refine their approach were valid, but an evolution can easily become a revolution and you can stray too far f15215579rom your strengths.
Take Callum Paterson as a case in point. Signed as a right back, he found his feet as an attacking central midfielder and was one of the revelations of last season.
He has a bit of everything; he’s physical, good in the air and deceptively skilful. He was brought in to knit together the midfield and attack because there was a disconnect. Well there is a disconnect once again.
Paterson’s calling card became a Frank Lampard’esque ability to perfectly time his runs in to the box and Cardiff could certainly do with a bit more of that at present.
It’s striking the right balance of shoring up the midfield, but still offering more support going forward. Harry Arter, Joe Ralls and Victor Camarasa have their hands full fighting fires, but Cardiff’s attacking threat has reduced as a result.
The types of chances that fell to Paterson last season have fallen to Arter this year and he has snatched at all of them. He lacks Paterson’s composure and is better utilised deep, where his combative tendencies are a key asset.
After a daunting run of games, it will be interesting to see if Cardiff’s current midfield three remain as a fixture, or if someone like Paterson is added to the mix for more ‘winnable’ games.
Ralls’ place may be the most vulnerable, as he has looked slightly manic against a higher calibre of opponent thus far, but it would still be a surprise were he left out.
Then there’s Kenneth Zohore.
The single biggest difference between Cardiff this year and Cardiff last year is the absence of Zohore. They’re as much a team in Zohore’s image as they are in Neil Warnock’s. He is the focal point of the attack. His pace and physicality are essential. Were essential.
Zohore started the season and deservedly lost his place to Danny Ward, who is far more willing to chase lost causes and put in the hard yards.
He’s not Zohore though and can’t do it on his own. As Cardiff probably found in the summer, strikers with Zohore’s skillset do not grow on trees and having failed to bring in a centre forward, they have put all their eggs in one basket.
When Zohore is on song, the whole team sings, but when he loses his voice, Cardiff don’t sound the same. He’s had spells before when he’s strolled around looking slightly disinterested, then snapped back to his formidable best. Hopefully the penny will drop that this may be his only crack at the Premier League. This is his time to shine and Cardiff are relying on him.
If Zohore is fit, I would play him, in the hope that he will find form. At least until January, when Warnock can have a rethink and look to bring someone else in. Tammy Abraham would have been a great fit and you could picture him thriving in this side, but only with support and the same applies to Zohore and anyone else for that matter.
The combination of Ward and Bobby Reid worked well against Arsenal, but is not a one size fits all fix. It is just as likely to leave Cardiff short in midfield and no one wants to see Arter on the left wing again, as witnessed against Manchester City.
Cardiff are up against it and short of options, but maybe they just need to go back to the future. The likes of Reid and especially the returning Jacob Murphy are key assets and have given Cardiff more energy and finesse in their attack, but they need to add to Cardiff’s key strengths rather than replace them.
Burnley is probably one of the few fixtures Cardiff can approach more like a Championship fixture and trade blow for blow. Here’s hoping for a timely blast from the past on Sunday.
By Scott Johnson
Saturday 29th September 2018
A thought occurred to me as I watched Cardiff’s humbling at the hands of Manchester City at the weekend: are they straying too far from what made them successful last season?
Don’t get me wrong, Cardiff are simply not equipped to cope with a team of Man City’s calibre. Not many are in world football, let alone the Premier League. This is a team for the ages and if anything, 5-0 flattered Cardiff.
Maybe Cardiff could have used a slightly different set of variables and managed to limit the score somewhat, but they were out of their depth for the first time this season. They gave Arsenal a fright and were competitive at Chelsea, but couldn’t lay a glove on Pep Guardiola’s men.
Burnley are up next and offer a polar opposite challenge. They are the team that Cardiff are trying to emulate, on and off the pitch. The hierarchy often allude to this.
Burnley play a Burnley way and buy Burnley players. They’re good at it too, remarkably finishing seventh last year and qualifying for Europe in the process.
Neil Warnock will lock horns with Sean Dyche on Sunday
If this is seen as one of Cardiff’s winnable games then heaven help them!
Burnley have made a poor start to the season, but have begun their ascent with a thumping 4-0 win against Bournemouth last week. It should be a game that suits Cardiff because they play the same brand of blood and guts football. Or maybe they don’t anymore.
There was a lot of pre-season focus on Cardiff’s need to evolve in order to compete in the Premier League, and with good reason. They were too reliant on set pieces and being able to overpower opponents.
The calls to refine their approach were valid, but an evolution can easily become a revolution and you can stray too far f15215579rom your strengths.
Take Callum Paterson as a case in point. Signed as a right back, he found his feet as an attacking central midfielder and was one of the revelations of last season.
He has a bit of everything; he’s physical, good in the air and deceptively skilful. He was brought in to knit together the midfield and attack because there was a disconnect. Well there is a disconnect once again.
Paterson’s calling card became a Frank Lampard’esque ability to perfectly time his runs in to the box and Cardiff could certainly do with a bit more of that at present.
It’s striking the right balance of shoring up the midfield, but still offering more support going forward. Harry Arter, Joe Ralls and Victor Camarasa have their hands full fighting fires, but Cardiff’s attacking threat has reduced as a result.
The types of chances that fell to Paterson last season have fallen to Arter this year and he has snatched at all of them. He lacks Paterson’s composure and is better utilised deep, where his combative tendencies are a key asset.
After a daunting run of games, it will be interesting to see if Cardiff’s current midfield three remain as a fixture, or if someone like Paterson is added to the mix for more ‘winnable’ games.
Ralls’ place may be the most vulnerable, as he has looked slightly manic against a higher calibre of opponent thus far, but it would still be a surprise were he left out.
Then there’s Kenneth Zohore.
The single biggest difference between Cardiff this year and Cardiff last year is the absence of Zohore. They’re as much a team in Zohore’s image as they are in Neil Warnock’s. He is the focal point of the attack. His pace and physicality are essential. Were essential.
Zohore started the season and deservedly lost his place to Danny Ward, who is far more willing to chase lost causes and put in the hard yards.
He’s not Zohore though and can’t do it on his own. As Cardiff probably found in the summer, strikers with Zohore’s skillset do not grow on trees and having failed to bring in a centre forward, they have put all their eggs in one basket.
When Zohore is on song, the whole team sings, but when he loses his voice, Cardiff don’t sound the same. He’s had spells before when he’s strolled around looking slightly disinterested, then snapped back to his formidable best. Hopefully the penny will drop that this may be his only crack at the Premier League. This is his time to shine and Cardiff are relying on him.
If Zohore is fit, I would play him, in the hope that he will find form. At least until January, when Warnock can have a rethink and look to bring someone else in. Tammy Abraham would have been a great fit and you could picture him thriving in this side, but only with support and the same applies to Zohore and anyone else for that matter.
The combination of Ward and Bobby Reid worked well against Arsenal, but is not a one size fits all fix. It is just as likely to leave Cardiff short in midfield and no one wants to see Arter on the left wing again, as witnessed against Manchester City.
Cardiff are up against it and short of options, but maybe they just need to go back to the future. The likes of Reid and especially the returning Jacob Murphy are key assets and have given Cardiff more energy and finesse in their attack, but they need to add to Cardiff’s key strengths rather than replace them.
Burnley is probably one of the few fixtures Cardiff can approach more like a Championship fixture and trade blow for blow. Here’s hoping for a timely blast from the past on Sunday.
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Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sat Sep 29, 2018 7:08 pm
totally agree with this article.
we are too easy to play against at the moment. players like paterson and zohore who were at the heart of our success last season, have been on the bench while lesser (IMO) players like reid and ward are starting. who would you rather play against?
zohore is a tricky one because he hasn't looked very threatening when he comes on. there's something not right with him at the moment.
the midfield lacks balance, and we failed to recruit quality in certain positions (right back, striker) - this is hampering our efforts. that must be remedied in january if we want to stay up.
we are too easy to play against at the moment. players like paterson and zohore who were at the heart of our success last season, have been on the bench while lesser (IMO) players like reid and ward are starting. who would you rather play against?
zohore is a tricky one because he hasn't looked very threatening when he comes on. there's something not right with him at the moment.
the midfield lacks balance, and we failed to recruit quality in certain positions (right back, striker) - this is hampering our efforts. that must be remedied in january if we want to stay up.
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sat Sep 29, 2018 7:43 pm
Difficult to gauge this one for me man city Chelsea and Arsenal all beat us but Newcastle and Huddersfield we should of really one them.
Burnley on there day are a good team we have something to prove its so far the biggest game of the season a must win for both teams.
It's set up for a cracking game its so difficult to predict this one.
The artificial is bang on about Zahore and Paterson both players are missed so far
Over to Warnock now.
2-1 city
Burnley on there day are a good team we have something to prove its so far the biggest game of the season a must win for both teams.
It's set up for a cracking game its so difficult to predict this one.
The artificial is bang on about Zahore and Paterson both players are missed so far
Over to Warnock now.
2-1 city
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sat Sep 29, 2018 8:58 pm
Not sure about this.
What we did in the Championship won’t work I don’t think. What we did against arsenal would.
What we did in the Championship won’t work I don’t think. What we did against arsenal would.
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sat Sep 29, 2018 9:40 pm
Speed kills.......and we haven't had any for the last few games. Danny ward is a better all rounder than Kenny but i am quicker and i am 50 and two stone over weight.
Holliet looks like his shit twin brother and NML was bravely injured. Josh murphy, kenny and Junior up front although i can see junior be benched in favour of a different system.
I can see Gunnar getting game time and i wouldn't be surprised to see Kadeem given a go as well.
Holliet looks like his shit twin brother and NML was bravely injured. Josh murphy, kenny and Junior up front although i can see junior be benched in favour of a different system.
I can see Gunnar getting game time and i wouldn't be surprised to see Kadeem given a go as well.
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sat Sep 29, 2018 11:09 pm
To play the same way as we did in the Championship we will loose every game. Last season we were giving the ball away at will. If you do that in the Prem you will get punished. Let’s play the same we that we have in the last three games and if we go down trying to play then so be it. It’s good to watch and I’m happy with what we are doing at the moment.
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sun Sep 30, 2018 2:26 am
Nuclearblue wrote:To play the same way as we did in the Championship we will loose every game. Last season we were giving the ball away at will. If you do that in the Prem you will get punished. Let’s play the same we that we have in the last three games and if we go down trying to play then so be it. It’s good to watch and I’m happy with what we are doing at the moment.
we are giving the ball away at will now the only difference is its always in our own half this season...the first halves at both Bournemouth and Huddersfield we probably had more passes than in any whole game last season but all in our own half.
its a bit like the Mike Yarwood show at the moment in that it looks a lot like the real thing but isn't..
a few people have said if we played like we did last season we are going to get punished.
well you know what, if we played this stuff last season we wouldn't even be in the prem..
what got us here was being unconventional
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sun Sep 30, 2018 5:58 am
A lot of bollox and bull shit in many of these posts. WE ARE ALL AS BLLLLOOOOBIRRRRRDS load and proud!!! LETS NOT single out any player in our club....be it Pats Gunners Manga Ried Bennet Sol or whoever scores the winning GOALLLLL for the bluebirds!!!!! 
As an amazing player "Bluebird" only said last week "Our season starts on Sunday"!!!!!!
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!!!!
BBBLLOOOOOBBBIIRRRRDDDDDSSSSSS!!!!
As an amazing player "Bluebird" only said last week "Our season starts on Sunday"!!!!!!
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!!!!
BBBLLOOOOOBBBIIRRRRDDDDDSSSSSS!!!!
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sun Sep 30, 2018 6:05 am
To play the same way in the chamiopship with our players was an amazing feat in itself even getting promoted ffs loll........the last thing we need or the players or fans thinking "what a bummer, we are exactly the same as playing in the championship...we have no chance. """"""LOUD AND PROUD" with my little pick and shovel ile be there!!!!!
CANT f*cking WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CANT f*cking WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sun Sep 30, 2018 6:14 am
FFS how can you compare last season with this season??? i do not remember playing the geordies or mancs or scumsy or anyone else in the prem last season??? how can you compare this to last is beond me!!!! im sure last season in the prem was an English or Egyptian top scorer. AND????? WTF Our fans will still be the best singers in ANY football stadia win or loose!!! because of one simple fact......WE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE WITH OUR LITTLE PICK AND SHOVEL". no mater what.xxxx
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sun Sep 30, 2018 6:22 am
And another thing!!!! CARDIFF CITY BLUEBIRDS WILL get atleast one or two wins against WOLVES-FlLHAM EVERTON BOURNEMOUTH OR any other team that are below par when our team is on form..........because believe me...OUR TEAM WILL BE ON FIRE VERY SOON!!!!!!!
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sun Sep 30, 2018 9:30 am
I would try Patterson up front as he is good in the air gets in good positions and strong plus found the net a few times . Worth a punt if all fails
Re: Cardiff City must revert to what got them to the Premier
Sun Sep 30, 2018 12:17 pm
plymouthbloobirds wrote:To play the same way in the chamiopship with our players was an amazing feat in itself even getting promoted ffs loll........the last thing we need or the players or fans thinking "what a bummer, we are exactly the same as playing in the championship...we have no chance. """"""LOUD AND PROUD" with my little pick and shovel ile be there!!!!!
CANT f*cking WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
..try small sipsblue army blue army
..goal.. 
pick and shovel..blue army