“ CARDIFF CITY HAVE STRENGTH IN DEPTH IN THEIR SQUAD “

Cardiff City could pick two teams and strong ones says Glen Williams


Bluebirds boss Neil Harris, at least, has clear options to freshen up his team. In fact, he can pick two completely different Cardiff City XIs and you can make a genuine argument that several players in Team B should in fact be in Team A.


By Glen Williams

Thursday 4th June 2020


Everything is up for grabs. While Leeds, West Brom and Fulham fight it out for automatic promotion, the Premier League dream will very much be on for a number of other clubs, including Cardiff.

The Bluebirds' rivals don't really have this kind of strength in depth though. You can question some of the quality, but the quantity is great.

TEAM A: Smithies: Sanderson, Morrison (capt), Nelson, Bennett: Ralls, Vaulks; Hoilett, Tomlin, Adomah; Paterson

This is the line up Harris will probably go with for the return to play fixture with Leeds when the date is officially announced.

Crucially, it contains the name of Lee Tomlin - whose season appeared to have ended with a knee injury.

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TEAM B: Etheridge; Richards, Flint, Bamba (capt), Smith; Pack, Bacuna; Mendez-Laing, Ward, Murphy; Glatzel

There won't be too many sides boasting this kind of second-string strength.

Etheridge is the best reserve goalkeeper outside the Premier League, while many Bluebirds fans would love to see Sol Bamba in Harris' first-choice starting XI.

Aidan Flint and Marlon Pack have been for much of the campaign to date, Leandro Bacuna has done little to warrant not being picked.

Jazz Richards and Brad Smith are adequate full-back support.

It is further forward, though, where Harris will be drooling at his options.

Like Tomlin, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing thought his season was over. The return of his pace, power and goal threat is a hugely welcome, if unexpected, bonus.

With his ability, Josh Murphy should have been tearing up this division. With the pressure off a little, he could actually flourish in behind closed doors matches and send the Bluebirds soaring into the top six.

Murphy started the season well. This is another start, so to speak, and the freshness in his legs will be a boost to the Bluebirds.

Could the scenario of not playing in front of fans and feeling the pressure of trying to justify a huge fee also benefit Robert Glatzel as we begin to see the best of him?

Gavin Whyte and Isaac Vassell can also be thrown into the selection mix, while some Cardiff supporters appear to love Danny Ward.

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How the Championship looks at the moment

9 games to be played

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So much of the next few weeks will be about character though and there's a big part of me that wishes we had Warnock at the helm at this point in time. Looking at the German games its pretty evident that some players, even teams don't want to be on the pitch. I can understand that but I certainly wouldn't want to be 5 points clear of the relegation zone going into this run in. As it is for us its a no lose situation, we give it our best shot and if it goes badly, so what.

On the other hand Leeds fans must be a little nervous given their track record of bottling it. Defeat at Cardiff could be the start of the next demise.

So much of the next few weeks will be about character though and there's a big part of me that wishes we had Warnock at the helm at this point in time. Looking at the German games its pretty evident that some players, even teams don't want to be on the pitch. I can understand that but I certainly wouldn't want to be 5 points clear of the relegation zone going into this run in. As it is for us its a no lose situation, we give it our best shot and if it goes badly, so what.

On the other hand Leeds fans must be a little nervous given their track record of bottling it. Defeat at Cardiff could be the start of the next demise.

yes looking at other options that were mentioned for finishing the season...void,points per game, tables remain as was..based on 23 games etc none included ourselves with any chance....this is a free hit

I think we got a good chance of going up

I was only thinking this morning that if both the amount of used and unused substitutes increases, this could be an advantage with our squad as the quality is very similar throughout.