Nathan Blake: This would be a new-look attacking trio for C

The dream Cardiff City front line that can see Bluebirds charge for promotion


By Nathan Blake


Friday 29th May 2020


NATHAN BLAKE:


I personally think its a big risk starting football up again.


I've been trying to keep myself busy during the lockdown; keeping the kids entertained, mowing the lawn and chopping trees down in the garden, a spot of golf when I can get round to it and I've been cleaning up my Harley-Davidson after getting it serviced.

I also managed to squeeze in a bit of Netflix - how good is The Last Dance? If you've not seen it, the documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, I thoroughly recommend it!

But, as we all know, football is where my heart truly lies and it seems the wheels are now in motion regarding the return to action with the players having resumed training this week.

It all just feels too early for me. I understand why they are trying doing it, they are forcing the issue to go back and, as always, it boils down to money.

It would be nice if we lived in a society where we valued life over money, unfortunately it's money what makes the world go round.

But, personally, I wouldn't be taking the chance. There are so many people at the club who are in contact with other people and while you might think all players will be sensible, the risks are sometimes invisible.




Until we have a clear plan of action as to how we can counteract it, I don't see how we can come back.

I'm not a risk-taker, per se, my mother and father-in-law bought me flying lessons for my 40th birthday and I never went. I'm not that type of person. I try to value life.

I saw Nathaniel Mendez-Laing speak the other day about his concerns over his pregnant partner, his asthma and the fact he comes from a BAME background.

There are probably a thousand different reasons why this isn't a good idea; children, wives, mums, dads who are all susceptible. It just seems like a roll of the dice.

So, to restart this for entertainment? It's not worth the risk, but it seems like they are cracking on regardless.

If football is to return, I suppose it is only right to try and look at the positives and there is a very obvious one for me.

Having Lee Tomlin back, as we believe he will be, when the season does get up and running is a massive boost for the club, there's no doubt about that.

He had grown to the talisman figure before his injury and it's so important for Cardiff City that he comes back sharp and ready to hit the ground running.

With Nathaniel Mendez-Laing back, too, it now represents the best and strongest squad possible for them to kick on and reach a play-off spot and that must be cause for excitement.

Albert Adomah was brought in as Mendez-Laing's replacement on deadline day in January and I am a massive fan of his, he has done really well since donning the Bluebirds shirt.

So, how good would the prospect of playing those two together be? Mendez-Laing on the right wing and Adomah on the left with Tomlin in the middle. Now I think any Cardiff fan will smile at that prospect.

We have seen consistency from Adomah and he is probably a much better bet than Josh Murphy at the moment and I'm sure he can work on that left-hand side.

He has a great understanding and great experience, having won promotions and played at a high level for so long, and can help Joe Bennett a lot.


Mendez-Laing has had an incredibly frustrating season with injury, but he really does have the ability, the pace and drive to add a real boost to this squad when the campaign resumes.

And then Tomlin, of course, adding that magic in behind Callum Paterson.

This would be a new-look attacking trio for Cardiff City and there is no reason they cannot work together.

Playing Paterson and Tomlin should afford Adomah and Mendez-Laing a massive licence to get behind the defence and an even bigger licence for Dion Sanderson, Joe Bennett/Greg Cunningham/Brad Smith to bomb up and down the flank and play almost as midfield players.

Mendez-Laing is an absolute speed demon and Adomah still has a good turn of pace, Tomlin slipping balls through to those two with the abrasive Paterson wreaking havoc with defenders. Now that would be great to see.

Neil Harris really does have all the tools there to comprise an exciting attacking line-up and that is something I am genuinely excited about.

I never thought we would have a shot at the play-offs prior to all this happening, I've said all season I thought we would finish between eighth and 10th position. We are in ninth right now and that seems about right to me given how turbulent this season has been.

I still think that might possibly be the case, but one team has to get lucky and there's no reason why that can't be us.

If we end up starting quicker than others, with the new attacking trio potentially the catalyst, we could end up in sixth place with three games to play, it really is that tight and we have the players to do it.

It means the training schedule between now and the resumption of the season, whenever that might be, is so important. Having Mendez-Laing and Tomlin back fit and firing for as many of those nine games as possible is absolutely crucial to where the Bluebirds will end up come the end of the campaign.

So, look, it will be difficult for Cardiff to hit the ground running, given the length of time they have had off and the importance of these returning stars, but someone has to fly out of the traps. Why can't that be us?

One thing is for sure, having Mendez-Laing and Tomlin back gives us a much, much better opportunity to do so.

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Yes. It's nice to have genuine options again. (Whether they're any good we'll see... Haha)

Albert/NML/Murphy/Hoillet out wide with Pato/Glatzel at 9 and Tomlin dead cert at 10.

Looking on social media NML certainly looks ready. Beast.

Good article by Nathan Blake

I agree a front four of Tomlin/Mendez-Laing/Adomah/Paterson could be a game changer.

I also think his point about hitting the ground running when the return comes is very important. We now have a 9 game season with no Cup distractions so our preparations are vitally important to that end.

I agree that Adomah has lost a bit of pace but he can still beat a man and is the best crosser of all our wingers imo.
All being fit, this would be my team v Leeds (great to talk footy btw )

Smithies

Sanderson Morrisson Nelson Bennett

NML Ralls Bacuna Albert

Tomlin
Paterson

I agree that Adomah has lost a bit of pace but he can still beat a man and is the best crosser of all our wingers imo.
All being fit, this would be my team v Leeds (great to talk footy btw )

Smithies

Sanderson Morrisson Nelson Bennett

NML Ralls Bacuna Albert

Tomlin
Paterson

[quote="bluebirdoct1962"]I agree that Adomah has lost a bit of pace but he can still beat a man and is the best crosser of all our wingers imo.
All being fit, this would be my team v Leeds (great to talk footy btw )

Smithies

Sanderson Morrisson Nelson Bennett

NML Ralls Vaulks Albert

Tomlin
Paterson

I agree that Adomah has lost a bit of pace but he can still beat a man and is the best crosser of all our wingers imo.
All being fit, this would be my team v Leeds (great to talk footy btw )

Smithies

Sanderson Morrisson Nelson Bennett

NML Ralls Vaulks Albert

Tomlin
Paterson

Forgot about WV. Deffo put him in but maybe instead of JR as LB does a better job of sitting in front of back 4.

I’m not a fan of Blake’s Punditry as I think he leaves a lot to be desired, however I think he’s made a good point here. The one benefit I thought we might get, from having had to pause the season, would be having NML back. Tbh I’d be surprised if NH doesn’t continue with three natural CMs as per the last few games. We seemed much more solid. Tomlin should always be an option esp off the bench. I just hope that, with a new contract in hand, he’s continued to keep his discipline

I agree that Adomah has lost a bit of pace but he can still beat a man and is the best crosser of all our wingers imo.
All being fit, this would be my team v Leeds (great to talk footy btw )

Smithies

Sanderson Morrisson Nelson Bennett

NML Ralls Vaulks Albert

Tomlin
Paterson

Tomlin starting vs Leeds would be suicidal. We need to be compact and very hardworking. Off the bench though - I think Tomlin could well do a job

Isn’t that four players?

I agree that Adomah has lost a bit of pace but he can still beat a man and is the best crosser of all our wingers imo.
All being fit, this would be my team v Leeds (great to talk footy btw )

Smithies

Sanderson Morrisson Nelson Bennett

NML Ralls Vaulks Albert

Tomlin
Paterson

Tomlin starting vs Leeds would be suicidal. We need to be compact and very hardworking. Off the bench though - I think Tomlin could well do a job

But I think we’ll need that outlet that would mean the Leeds back 4 would be kept on their toes. He could well be the spark that could literally get us a goal from nowhere.
Maybe we should think about keeping it tight though so perhaps the following team would be more suited -

Smithies

Sanderson. Morrison. Nelson. Bennett

NML. Bacuna. Vaulks. Ralls.

Tomlin

Paterson

A sort of lob sided midfield with Tomlin slotting onto the left when Leeds have possession.