' It paid off to no end '
Early goals and attacking intent
Monday 30th November 2020
The main thing which has really crippled the Bluebirds this season has been conceding the first goal, usually preceding the opposition then sitting back and parking the proverbial bus.
Because Cardiff are rarely being taken to the cleaners, it is usually just one goal in it, tightly fought contests in which they have been unable to unlock defences after going behind early.
Neil Harris has spoken about getting that "first goal mentality" for some weeks now and the Luton performance shows just how much of a difference that can make.
Sean Morrison's fifth-minute opener from the set piece, followed by Mark Harris' coolly-taken strike just four minutes after, put Cardiff in the driving seat early on and it is a position they have been in so rarely this season.
It prompted Luton to throw more bodies forward, which in turn opened up so much room for Cardiff's quick wingers and the spritely Harris to exploit.
Leandro Bacuna, too, was excellent and he also really stretched the defence when he bombed forward.
It was great to see Will Vaulks back in the middle of the park as well, adding that bite and energy and he really did turn out a top display. Alongside Joe Ralls, that midfield looked busy and bustling, flanked by wide men who were keen to get forward into spaces which were being manufactured by Cardiff's slicker passing.
A combination of those crucial early goals and a more attacking set-up came together in a perfect alchemy to really punish Luton on Saturday and the visitors had no answer.
The Bluebirds were finally ruthless and went for the jugular from the start for a change.
It paid off to no end. That has to be the blueprint now going forward.
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