Blakey's BootroomBy Nathan BlakeWhy I brushed off Neil Warnock speculation and Cardiff City fans should feel new hope in relegation battleHere's my take on the current on-field issues surrounding the Bluebirds....Bournemouth and selection headachesAssessing the Bournemouth performance from front to back, I thought what Oumar Niasse did was was give Cardiff that pace to out-run a lot of defenders. He's not lightning fast, but he's quick enough and a willing runner.
He constantly went from side to side, held off the defenders and brought people into play.
His link-up play with Bobby Decordova-Reid was effective too, all the while Cardiff had very little of the ball. So for them to carve out so many chances when Niasse and Reid were working so hard defensively without the ball, was very impressive.
It's so important for Cardiff to stretch the game, which they did with the pace of those two.
Reid even came deeper than the midfielder to help out and close down, and I thought he was incredible. In that No.10 position, he's creative enough, while perhaps not as silky as someone like Victor Camarasa.
The Spaniard has been easy on the eye, but the beauty of Reid is what he offers in attack and defence. He went out of the side for a spell — and I honestly don't know why, because he's impressed me every time.
Along with Josh Murphy, Callum Paterson — who covered Lee Peltier very nicely and did plenty going forward — and Niasse, there's a willing quarter of runners. Along with Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls, it gave Cardiff plenty of bite and energy.
Ralls deserves a big shout-out. He's been magnificent in the last two games and a deeper role suits him more because he's not a creative midfielder, he's a workaholic who can pass a ball. Imagine fusing him and Camarasa — you'd have the complete midfield player.
The issues come for Neil Warnock now in fitting Camarasa and Harry Arter back into the side.
Maybe it's horses for courses when it comes to selection.
I would be inclined to stick with the side that secured victory against Bournemouth at St Mary's this weekend. Nobody's in a position where they deserve to be dropped, but you've got Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Junior Hoilett, Kenneth Zohore, plus Arter and Camarasa to come into the side off the bench.
It's just great to have those options off the bench.
Leandro BacunaWe haven't spoken much about Bacuna , a bit of a strange signing for me, who has gone under the radar somewhat.
But he's another option who can come and fill a central midfield or right-back spot.
I've talked at length about how — although I love Peltier — Cardiff need a more attacking right back to kick on in the Premier League; although I don't believe Bacuna is particularly that player.
He's probably better in midfield actually.
Looking at the signing of Bacuna from Warnock's point of view though, the former Aston Villa man is just another quality addition who can cover a few positions.
Peltier is a someone who I don't feel has struggled this season, but I think has never felt confident at the top level. That can happen sometimes, players don't feel like they 'belong'.
But from a defensive standpoint, he'd be in my team every time. If an opposition has a dangerous left-winger, the chances are Peltier will deal with it.
Neil Warnock's futureI've said before, I don't particularly read newspapers. And I'm not on social media.
So I took those stories about Warnock supposedly wanting to quick as Cardiff boss with a pinch of salt.
I've been in football long enough to know a lot of stuff that is written is complete nonsense. Fish and chip paper. Troublesome stories.
When I heard Warnock speak about wanting to get back to work, looking forward to the rest of the season, that was enough for me. He's shown no signs of quitting in my eyes and will feel energised by recent performances.
You have to get back to work, despite the magnitude of the tragedy and Warnock will want to.
My Southampton predictionI've predicted a 1-1 draw for this game, which would be a great result for me.
Looking at the respective midfields, this contest will be won and lost in the centre of the park.
And Cardiff can hold their own in there and really trouble the Southampton back three, if Ralph Hassenhuttl sticks with that system.
A creditable point will be something to take into two winnable home games for the Bluebirds against Watford and Everton.
What Cardiff drew from the size of the occasion last weekend was the belief and resilience to now focus on giving everything to stay in this league.
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