‘ Lee Tomlin ‘

The Lee Tomlin enigma: Can Cardiff City maverick emerge from nowhere to fire Bluebirds promotion challenge?

Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock given food for thought by Tomlin's return to the fold

Saturday 27th July 2019



The dust has just about settled on Cardiff City's pre-season tour of North America, but there is still plenty of work ahead for Neil Warnock and his team before the start of the new Championship campaign.

While Warnock has plenty to ponder over on the back of the trip stateside, arguably one of the biggest stories of Cardiff's summer has been unfolding back home.

For Lee Tomlin to be even suggested as a genuinely viable option for Warnock this coming season would have been deemed unthinkable when he returned from his short loan spell with Peterborough at the end of last term.

And yet, here we are.

Having admitted that his Cardiff career has been blighted by personal problems , Tomlin appears more determined than ever to ensure his time in South Wales takes flight in the way we all hoped it would do when he signed on with the club this time two years ago.

At the time, Warnock regarded the former Bristol City man as the 'missing piece' in the jigsaw of a promotion challenge. Tomlin was the sort of enigmatic luxury player that Warnock felt he could get the best out of.


Having tamed a similar character in Adel Taraabt at Queens Park Rangers, Warnock must have been confident, despite Tomlin's repuation for delighting and infuriating in equal measure.

There were flashes of the brilliance Warnock was hoping for, a goal in the 2-2 draw with Reading was a particular high point, but as the weeks ticked on, the trust in Tomlin waned, and he became a regular on the bench rather than the Cardiff starting line-up.

When he was loaned out to Nottingham Forest the following January, it felt like the beginning of the end.


His absence coincided with promotion to the Premier League, and few were surprised to see him left out of Warnock's squad in the top flight.

When he secured a loan spell to Peterborough halfway through last season, few expected Tomlin to come back.

But back he came, demons banished and ready to fight for a place in the team.

So can he get in there?


Let's get one thing clear, everyone who's ever watched Lee Tomlin agrees he's technically one of the best players around at this level. A player that boasts the ability fans pay hard-earned cash to see. A player with that extra sprinkling of stardust that can win matches singlehandedly.

A player that, quite frankly, is like no other at Warnock's disposal.

It's worth stressing that despite his turbulent stint with the Bluebirds, Tomlin and Warnock have stayed on great terms, with Tomlin himself unable to muster a single bad word about the Yorkshireman.

It's that bulletproof relationship that may well have kept his Cardiff career afloat, and Tomlin seems more desperate than ever to pay back his manager, whittling himself into the best shape of his life ahead of the new campaign.

There are of course a few issues that need to be resolved - the main one being where exactly he fits into this team. If he does.

Former Bristol City team-mate Bobby Reid appears likely to be Tomlin's main rival to the number 10 position, and has all the attacking traits needed to have a big impact in the Championship.

Reid performed well out in North America, and could well be Warnock's first choice in the role in light of Victor Camarasa's departure.

That said, Warnock would relish a fierce and competitive battle for that role, particularly when his other option is a player of Tomlin's talents.


Both players have played out on the wing before, but unless two of Josh Murphy, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Junior Hoilett are sidelined, it looks an unlikely solution.

Some may well question why getting both Tomlin and Reid in the same XI would be so important, but if there's one thing the former Middlesbrough star has proven throughout his career it's that he's at his best when strikes up a rapport with one of this attacking team-mates.


Lee Tomlin is hoping to froce his way back into contention for Cardiff City
The best example is arguably from his time at Peterborough, where we worked superbly alongside George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith in a team that scored 106 goals.

Given the pair have worked together before, Reid is surely the stand-out candidate to become Tomlin's latest partner.

Many fans would love to see Reid up top, racing on to Tomlin's astute through balls, with Murphy, Mendez and Hoilett providing threat from the flanks.

Others, though, want a proper centre-forward brought in. If so, that probably means only one of Reid or Tomlin can play.

Then, of course, you have the Callum Paterson question. He played number 10 last time at this level and finished top scorer on 10 goals.

If Cardiff are to go up, though, they need their best players to perform.


Reid remains highly thought of as a forward option by many Cardiff fans, a number of whom despaired at the sparing use of the 26-year old towards the end of last season.

Many would surely see Tomlin and the brilliance he brings in the final third as the perfect man to bring out the best in a man who netted 21 goals in 52 games for Bristol City before making the move across the Severn.

The big worry of course, is Reid arguably lacks the physicality needed to thrive in an out-and-out striker's role in a Warnock side, but Tomlin is surely the sort of player that could provide the wizardry needed to get round that.

It's not the approach one would normally associate with a Warnock team, but might it be an exciting way forward? Tomlin and Reid paired together.

It's certainly food for thought for the manager, something few of us would have even contemplated a few months back.

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the last half hour today he was absolute magic

Well written article and it somes up the dilema.

We all thought he was dead and buried and then he turns up after the summer super fit, writes an article about his demons, performs and scores goals for the under 23's and then puts an excellent 30 minute shift in for the 1st team.

Only Sir Neil knows what goes on in training and behind the scenes, but if Tomlin can keep producing, it gives Warnock a very nice headache.

I pray he keeps his head down, waits for his chance, and when given it, performs. It will be like a new signing and could be the magic dust that makes the difference.

I think Lee Tomlin have been through the mill but have come out the other end I think he will be like a new signing for us! He look physically fit this year unlike 2 years ago when he was over weight. His eye for a pass is utter brilliance but we can’t really judge until the start of the season I hope he will do a job, he deserves respect even at Bristol he looked good to be fair. He might be the difference and even pose a different threat in midfield here’s hoping!!

I watched Lee Tomlin in a pre season friendly at shrewsbury a few seasons ago and he was running rings around their defence and I thought WOW here is a brill signing - so even though he has admitted having problems, etc for a while, showing commitment to get fit and keep your head down and work with the correct attitude,surely he will still have all those jinks, tricks and power that I saw on display at Shrewsbury.

Good luck Lee - I hope you keep it up.

Come on City

Thought he looked really fit and sharp today

Well written article and it somes up the dilema.

We all thought he was dead and buried and then he turns up after the summer super fit, writes an article about his demons, performs and scores goals for the under 23's and then puts an excellent 30 minute shift in for the 1st team.

Only Sir Neil knows what goes on in training and behind the scenes, but if Tomlin can keep producing, it gives Warnock a very nice headache.

I pray he keeps his head down, waits for his chance, and when given it, performs. It will be like a new signing and could be the magic dust that makes the difference.

We don't know if he's super fit yet or not. He looks lean (certainly for Tomlin) but "super fit" would suggest he can go 90 minutes if required.. we don't know at this point if can or not.

Well written article and it somes up the dilema.

We all thought he was dead and buried and then he turns up after the summer super fit, writes an article about his demons, performs and scores goals for the under 23's and then puts an excellent 30 minute shift in for the 1st team.

Only Sir Neil knows what goes on in training and behind the scenes, but if Tomlin can keep producing, it gives Warnock a very nice headache.

I pray he keeps his head down, waits for his chance, and when given it, performs. It will be like a new signing and could be the magic dust that makes the difference.

We don't know if he's super fit yet or not. He looks lean (certainly for Tomlin) but "super fit" would suggest he can go 90 minutes if required.. we don't know at this point if can or not.

You make a good point and the way to solve the problem is game time.I would expect to see him given an outing during the first round of the cup.

Fair play to the lad now all he has to do is keep his demons at bay and the way to do that is train hard and show Warnock that he can't leave him out of the starting 11.

Good luck to him

Could be a big player for us this year, let's hope he keeps focussed

NUBBSY

yes lets hope he could be a big player, but not weight wise, and keeps focussed on his play not pies.

If he is fit and plays to his ability it would be like signing a new £15 million player. And if he is not quite 100% percent fit yet what have we got to lose? There is no restriction on the number of players we can have so he is not taking someone else's place as he would have been in the Premier. 1-0 down and up against a packed defence, what a player to have on the bench. He came on against Sheff wed and Reading the year we went up and made and scored last minute equalisers. Two points which made all the difference in us going up automatically instead of Fulham.

the last half hour today he was absolute magic

With due respect, your statement is an exaggeration.

the last half hour today he was absolute magic

With due respect, your statement is an exaggeration.

With due respect, you're probably right Al, but he did look a class above any player that was on that pitch.

Warnock doesn't trust players who let him down, I still think Tomlin and Bogle will be gone, maybe Medine as well. Depends who he can get in.

Warnock doesn't trust players who let him down, I still think Tomlin and Bogle will be gone, maybe Medine as well. Depends who he can get in.

Going on yesterday's performance I hope not Thought Tomlin and Bogle looked our best attacking players yesterday

the last half hour today he was absolute magic

With due respect, your statement is an exaggeration.

With due respect, you're probably right Al, but he did look a class above any player that was on that pitch.

With due respect, your statement is a little confusing f he looked a class above EVERY player on the pitch,then perhaps that's what ehistler may have been alluding to He did look good,but that's only half hr or so,and reading between the lines of warnocks interview, he has got himself fit,and neil says,that's good for the player,whether that is here or elswhere personally I would like him to get a run of games,then see how he goes If he meant all he said in his interview,and he is facing his demons headlong,he surely realises that if he fluffs it,his career will end up at league two,or Scottish football.it's time for him to deliver or die imho.

the last half hour today he was absolute magic

With due respect, your statement is an exaggeration.

With due respect, you're probably right Al, but he did look a class above any player that was on that pitch.

With due respect, your statement is a little confusing f he looked a class above EVERY player on the pitch,then perhaps that's what ehistler may have been alluding to He did look good,but that's only half hr or so,and reading between the lines of warnocks interview, he has got himself fit,and neil says,that's good for the player,whether that is here or elswhere personally I would like him to get a run of games,then see how he goes If he meant all he said in his interview,and he is facing his demons headlong,he surely realises that if he fluffs it,his career will end up at league two,or Scottish football.it's time for him to deliver or die imho.

‘Deliver or die’
Hopefully that’s a typo.

the last half hour today he was absolute magic

With due respect, your statement is an exaggeration.

With due respect, you're probably right Al, but he did look a class above any player that was on that pitch.

With due respect, your statement is a little confusing f he looked a class above EVERY player on the pitch,then perhaps that's what ehistler may have been alluding to He did look good,but that's only half hr or so,and reading between the lines of warnocks interview, he has got himself fit,and neil says,that's good for the player,whether that is here or elswhere personally I would like him to get a run of games,then see how he goes If he meant all he said in his interview,and he is facing his demons headlong,he surely realises that if he fluffs it,his career will end up at league two,or Scottish football.it's time for him to deliver or die imho.

‘Deliver or die’
Hopefully that’s a typo.

I should double check what I have written,of course I wouldn't wish that on him I meant dive,as in career no offence intended Mr Tomlin

the last half hour today he was absolute magic

With due respect, your statement is an exaggeration.

With due respect, you're probably right Al, but he did look a class above any player that was on that pitch.

With due respect, your statement is a little confusing f he looked a class above EVERY player on the pitch,then perhaps that's what ehistler may have been alluding to He did look good,but that's only half hr or so,and reading between the lines of warnocks interview, he has got himself fit,and neil says,that's good for the player,whether that is here or elswhere personally I would like him to get a run of games,then see how he goes If he meant all he said in his interview,and he is facing his demons headlong,he surely realises that if he fluffs it,his career will end up at league two,or Scottish football.it's time for him to deliver or die imho.

‘Deliver or die’
Hopefully that’s a typo.

I should double check what I have written,of course I wouldn't wish that on him I meant dive,as in career no offence intended Mr Tomlin

Thought Tomlin looked sharp on Saturday.