Tue Jan 21, 2020 4:18 pm
Cardiff City Stars desperate for more minutes
By Gwyn Roberts
Tuesday 21st January 2020
The players listed below, meanwhile, have been used far less than the regulars, especially Josh Murphy, Callum Paterson and Will Vaulks, who have been on the fringes for the majority of the season. These are the players that will have a point to prove to Harris.
Murphy is a player who, when at his best, has the potential to be one of the best wingers in the Championship, but some Cardiff fans feel he is a player that doesn't work hard enough when selected.
He has been used sparingly under Harris, who has seemingly nailed down Mendez-Laing and Hoilett as first choice when both are fit.
There are the exceptions of Jazz Richards, Robert Glatzel and Sean Morrison, all of whom were injured when Harris took over and only recently came back from time on the sidelines.
Morrison is the club captain and has recently come back into the starting lineup, so we are likely to see his amount of minutes increase over the season.
Harris has already stated Jazz Richards has a future with him at Cardiff City.
Richards' Cardiff career has been blighted by injuries, but he has been thrust into the team recently and has looked comfortable, apart from the QPR game in which he was tore apart.
As seen in the last couple of games, Harris has preferred Smithies to Etheridge and the former has impressed, especially against Birmingham where he kept City in the game.
Jazz Richards= 446 (came back from long-term injury against Preston, 21/12)
Robert Glatzel= 416 (Came back from injury against Leeds, 14/12)
Danny Ward= 344 (red card against Birmingham, 2/11- missed 3 games through suspension. Also went off injured against Birmingham, 18/1)
Sean Morrison= 290 (had an injury when Harris took over)
Will Vaulks= 279
Callum Paterson= 248
Gavin Whyte= 230
Josh Murphy= 200
Alex Smithies= 192
Tue Jan 21, 2020 4:20 pm
The injury-hit duo
The two players listed below have missed many games through injury, which explains their lack of minutes, although they remain very important players.
Sol Bamba has been recovering from the ruptured ACL that he suffered last season, so he has been easing back into the first-team and hasn't become a regular yet.
On his day, Bamba is a huge influence for Cardiff and he has been a leader over the past few seasons. He could be crucial for the Bluebirds if he returns to his best, especially as the City defence have conceded so many goals this season.
Joe Ralls is another player who is crucial for Cardiff. He was having a very good season until his injury, which has forced him to sit out the majority of the games under Harris.
He played against Carlisle in the FA Cup replay, so we should see more of Ralls very soon.
Sol Bamba= 122 (long-term injury)
Joe Ralls= 107 (injured until Leeds, 14/12 and then injured again until Birmingham, 18/1)