It all felt stop-start. The talent and creativity were there but there was not enough opportunity for him to find his very best form or any consistency.
When Warnock left in November, you couldn't help but wonder what was going through Tomlin's head.
Neil Harris then took the reins, pulled Tomlin to one side and told him he was going to be the main man. Notwithstanding the manager's first game in charge, the playmaker started every game when he was available and dazzled.
His chest was puffed and he was brimming with confidence. There was a genuine sense within the stadia that when the ball was at Tomlin's feet, anything was possible.
During Harris' first six games in charge, Tomlin scored three goals and contributed four assists, including that outrageous pass for Robert Glatzel's dramatic equaliser against Leeds United back in December.
Suddenly, he was the main man. He was the player all Cardiff fans had hoped he would become when he walked through the door back in the summer of 2017.
Harris must take some credit, too, for finally allowing the player to work his magic late on in games, when the game was opening up and defences were tiring, and it is then when he was at his most dangerous.
It was no coincidence that Tomlin's scorching form coincided with a very positive start to life under Harris. One is left wondering just how Warnock's final few months would have panned out if he had utilised his ace in the pack a little more often.
Tomlin, however, offered a little insight into life under Warnock during a searingly honest press conference back before Christmas.
"For me, deep down, you knew you weren’t getting picked," Tomlin said.
"There was always an excuse against me. That’s fine, everyone has got their own opinions.
"It’s not for me to argue with people, I feel like people listen to the reasons why. Not fit, not this, not that.
"If that’s what people want to believe because that’s what the gaffer said then that’s fine. I know myself, you can’t get unfitter by losing two stone. That’s a fact.
"I’ve worked so hard and now it’s unbelievable."
It was certainly unbelievable. Every time he shot it looked to be going in. Every reverse pass was carving open defences. It was a joy to watch.
It is then when murmurs of his soon-to-be-expiring contract began to worry Bluebirds fans. But Cardiff swiftly moved to put that right, with Tomlin penning a two-year extension in the New Year.
Lee Tomlin signed a new contract extension with the Bluebirds back in January (Image: Cardiff City FC)
LEE TOMLIN:
"I'm absolutely buzzing to get it done and dusted," said Tomlin.
"The fans stuck by me no matter what and I'm starting to repay them.
"I think that's why I had no intention of going anywhere else, because, for me, they've been unbelievable.
"Every time I start a game and you go out at home it brings a smile and a shiver down my spine. I just want to do well for them as well."
The words struck a chord with City fans, who felt like they had been taken on this rollercoaster of a journey with him and they were over the moon he had committed to be a Bluebird for at least two more years.
Goals against Birmingham City, West Brom and Luton Town followed, with Tomlin showing no signs of slowing down. Was he going to single-handedly drag Cardiff into the play-off spots?
But, beneath it all during the January transfer window, there was a fear which gripped City fans.
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