COULD THIS BE THE BLUEBIRD TEAM TO TAKE US TO SAFETY?

The Cardiff City team that needs to be chosen for Championship run-in with new captain as crisis looms.
WalesOnline

Something needs to change if the Bluebirds are to climb away from relegation danger, which they are more than capable of doing

As Albert Einstein would say, doing the same old thing time and again and expecting different results is... well you know how it goes.

Cardiff City are very close to reaching crisis point, with relegation to League One staring them in the face.

They are the lowest scorers in the Championship, just 21 goals in 30 games.

They haven't won a match since November 5. In the 13 games since, they've failed to score in seven of them. They've lost the last three 1-0.

Many fans, who appear resigned to their fate, are already preparing for trips to Lincoln, Port Vale and Burton Albion next season.

When Supporters' Club chief Vince Alm, normally as supportive and optimistic as they come, tweets "I've watched us relegated nine times this looks no different, similar to the 1999-2000 season under Frank Burrows where we failed to score enough goals," then you know there are major problems.


But, but, but... hold on a moment...

This is a situation entirely resolvable for the Bluebirds. There are 16 matches to go, lots of points to play for, and they have the players to get out of this mess and capable of finishing much higher up in the table.

The most galling thing for some fans is that they don't think the best team has been picked this season, for differing reasons.

Defensively Cardiff look sound. Only five teams in the division have actually conceded a fewer number of goals. What Cardiff require is a different dynamic and mix going forward - and two of their home grown players Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies, largely overlooked this campaign, can be key to that.


How about this XI as we head towards the run-in?

Goalkeeper - Ryan Allsop

He's the man in possession so should keep the number one shirt, albeit some feel Jak Alnwick deserves a go. But many supporters want Allsop to be more commanding in his box, particularly with crosses near his six-yard area. The winner scored by Luton is an example of that. But he's Cardiff's best option.


Defence

Mahlon Romeo
Mark McGuinness (captain)
Cedric Kipre
Callum O'Dowda

Romeo isn't fit at the moment, but he needs to return the moment he is. Defensively sound, decent going forward, he'll have an important role to play during the run-in. Harsh on Perry Ng, a regular under Steve Morison, Mark Hudson, Dean Whitehead and Sabri Lamouchi? Perhaps. But it demonstrates strength in depth so many feel Cardiff don't actually have.

In my view it was a silly decision from Morison to let McGuinness go out on loan as he is a very decent young centre-back in the making. Yes, he lost his form a bit at the tail end of last season, but who didn't in the City side?

He's excellent in the air, strong in the tackle, decent on the ball and reasonably quick. What's not to like? He can also give Cardiff much-needed set-piece threat, which is something Morison completely eradicated from the team with his selection.

McGuinness has only just turned 22, but he can be a rock upon which the Cardiff team is built for years. I'd also give him the captaincy. A lot has been made about a so-called lack of leaders in this team, but he looks to have those qualities about him, can lead by example with his own excellence and through being vociferous.

Kipre plays, end of.

As for left-back, I'm not convinced Joel Bagan has been given a fair crack particularly when Niels Nkounkou was being chosen ahead of him. But O'Dowda has to be in the side somewhere and he's looked solid enough as a converted full-back.


Midfield

Ryan Wintle
Andy Rinomhota

Cardiff have needed legs and energy in the engine room for some time and still haven't got the blend right this season.

It's too easy to say the front four don't do enough, there's no goalscorer, or as Mark Hudson claimed: "[i]We were brilliant up to the final third." It's a team effort and the midfield need to do their bit when it comes to goals, assists and creativity, too.

Rinomhota seems to possess the ability to run beyond opposition defences, as well as defending himself and being tigerish enough in the tackle. It would be nice to put Romaine Sawyers next to him, but with four further forward that's perhaps being a little too idealistic.

So Wintle it is, but Cardiff do need more from him in either penalty box. His role in shielding the defence will be crucial as games become more and more tense towards the end of the campaign.

Joe Ralls still has an important role to play, but part of that would be coming on as a substitute with his experience and tenacity to help close out matches - when hopefully City are finally ahead in games, for a change. Cardiff may need that when the going gets tough.[/i]


Front four

Rubin Colwill
Callum Robinson
Isaak Davies
Sory Kaba

Cardiff have players who look excellent on the ball like Jaden Philogene and Sheyi Ojo, while Mark Harris never stops working. But the mix various managers have tried hasn't worked to date in terms of Cardiff scoring goals.

Growing pains or not, the treatment of Cowlill this season has been baffling to the majority of Bluebirds fans. He's either not been picked, had a few minutes as a substitute, or been stuck out on the wing.

Colwill is Cardiff's most creative talent. For a team that can't score goals not to utilise that ability is puzzling.

The Wales youngster needs to be picked at No.10, where he can make the play and provide the vision so sorely required to test defences where it really matters in and around the opposition penalty box.

Look at the way Swansea City have utilised Ollie Cooper. Shrewd observers who watch the two Welsh youngsters say that Colwill has the greater ability, he was the one chosen for the World Cup. Yet the Swans have invested in Cooper, he is brimful of confidence, scoring and assisting.

Cardiff have simply GOT to start maximising Colwill's potential and letting him play with greater belief, too. Morison would never entertain a luxury player, and it will be even harder for Lamouchi to do that in a relegation dogfight. But something needs to change. Sometimes you just have to free up a creative force like Colwill.

He has faults, of course he does, but he can also be a matchwinner. And, crikey, Cardiff need matchwinners at the moment.

We also haven't seen much of fellow young gun Davies. His searing pace and exuberance of youth can also offer a fresh dimension in the final third. In return, he has to score more goals.

Of course, the counter argument is that successive managers can't be wrong in overlooking Colwill and Davies, that they need to produce more. Yet I can't get out of my mind the way those two ripped apart Liverpool's defence to craft a goal at Anfield, won a game between them at Queens Park Rangers, Colwill destroyed Nottingham Forest and has done well in cameos with Wales. They have something about them, hopefully Lamouchi brings it out.

Robinson obviously plays. So too new striker Kaba, who is needed to provide the figurehead up top Cardiff have been missing the whole season, with Morison opting to move away from that type of player and style of play.


Since Kieffer Moore, Cardiff have needed a big man, who wins the headers, holds up the ball to link play and take pressure off the defence, and weighs in with a few goals.

Kaba, with that creative mix around him, could be that man, we hope.

The important point to stress here is that there are still 16 matches to go, 48 points to play for. Get a few wins and Cardiff will quickly climb that table.

Despite two initial defeats, and no goals, Lamouchi already shows signs of more offensive intent when it comes to his selection and substitutions and that is to be applauded.

At least his side aren't being hammered; there is a foundation from which to build. Turn nil-ones into draws, then draws into narrow wins.

Trouble is time is running out and Lamouchi will need to find the right blend fast. The above line-up might be closer to that blend than anything we've seen thus far?

For me, this is a start but I would try Mark Harris' pace for Colwill's promising flair for a game or two; and maybe O'Dowda for Rinomhota

We need to try something radical and I believe they coukd feed and support Robinson and Kaba in front of goal

What Cardiff XI would you pick?

No Way not with Colwill why the obsession with a player who has done nothing

Philogene and Ojo for Colwill and Davies.

I agree and issac davies should be used as much as possible he will come good the lad has pace and goals will come with the more games you have and also the service around you
vardy has had this at Leicester for years

Colwil has done nothing to warrant a place in the team.

Colwil has done nothing to warrant a place in the team.

Wez, I can see where you are coming from; but has he honestly been given an extended run to build his skills and confidence...?

No

I'd go with Svens team

I'd go with Colwill to start.
We get 5 subs.
If I were manager, I'd talk with squad and Colwill and say.
Give me 45 mins like your life depended on it.
Then sub him half time once legs have gone...

Colwill so wasted as a sub as he takes 10 mins to warm into a game... Hell never improve like this....
He can create opportunities that sawyers etc can't....

It's Wales online s team.

Some interesting points to support the choice of starting 11. However, I feel that the team that finished the game against Middlesborough showed very positive signs with Kaba upfront. The best 20 mins play in a long time! If he can find a place in the 11 for Rinamota and maybe have Davies as an option, then I would go with that.
After his pathetic cameo against Luton, I cant have Colwell starting, and I’d be amazed if he did. In contrast, Etete, who has not had any run in the team, did very well when he came on against Milwall. All along we have said that hes not the finished product and so Hudson couldn’t risk it. But without him we still lost nearly all the games under Hudson!

I think the manager has enough options available and he will get it right. But time is running out and we wasted a lot of matches under Hudson - big mistake.

100% down with that team.
Putting our only decent threat (O’Dowda) in defence is a criminal waste of his attacking ability, especially when we’re so desperate for goals or creativity.
Colwill doesn’t even deserve to be on the bench. You can see the lad has talent, but his footballing prowess sucks arse. He gives minimum effort, often looks lost as the game passes him by. He can’t stop himself showboating with flicks when playing the percentage ball and retaining possession would be far easier.

Shit or bust…

Allsop
Ng / McGuinness / Kipre
Rinomhota
Davies / Philogene / Robinson / O’Dowda
Kaba / Etete

Ojo deserves to start before colwill especially in the number 10 role.

Can’t see how Colwell can start,has shown no form,no desire and obvious got issues.I’m warming to Ojo at the moment as we all know little end product (but who has) but showing some promise.

100% down with that team.
Putting our only decent threat (O’Dowda) in defence is a criminal waste of his attacking ability, especially when we’re so desperate for goals or creativity.
Colwill doesn’t even deserve to be on the bench. You can see the lad has talent, but his footballing prowess sucks arse. He gives minimum effort, often looks lost as the game passes him by. He can’t stop himself showboating with flicks when playing the percentage ball and retaining possession would be far easier.

Shit or bust…

Allsop
Ng / McGuinness / Kipre
Rinomhota
Davies / Philogene / Robinson / O’Dowda
Kaba / Etete

Love to see a line up like that, would show some real intenet.
I'd maybe put ojo in before philogene though.

Perfect side, well done walls online

No harris, ojo, philogene, simpson, ralls, sawyers

Wouldn't have those anywhere near my 11

No chance, Sabri likes a solid team and to catch teams on the break, he doesn't seem to rate Colwill, he will play a much different team than that except for the defence as that is the best we can play when Romeo is fit and until Collins is back.

I think he may try Kaba and Etete up front.

Unfortunately for Colwill, not for me, the way our defence leaks goals3 at the back is a disaster, we always get battered in midfield so that needs to be our strength, no midfield we are up against it when we cannot win the ball back

Not a million miles away from Kettering's approach but it'd be a 3-4-1-2 for me to make the best of our options

Allsop

NG, McGuiness, Kipre

O'Dowda, Wintle, Rinomota, Davies

Robinson

Kaba, Etete

Close down the middle of the park quickly to win possession. Rinmota needs to go box to box has the best engine in the side for this. Wintle as a defensive midfielder to offer support for the back three if we get caught on the break.

Get the balls out to the wing quickly and whip them in for the two big strikers with Calum there to win second ball in dangerous positions.

NG as captain.

Bench:

Ralls
Whyte
Harris
Philogene
Ojo
Denham
Alnwick

Ralls and Whyte there to bring on when we want to slow the game and hold onto a lead (what's a lead I hear you ask? Well we can hope!)

Harris, Philogene and Ojo all fresh legs to bring in for Robinson, O'Dowda & Davies when pushing for a win/goal.

Denham as a cover for any defensive injuries. Would rather give him the experience than have Simpson on the bench.

Colwill is a luxury we simply can't afford at the minute and hasn't shown enough in the cameos he's had to earn a place in the side.

This.

Not a million miles away from Kettering's approach but it'd be a 3-4-1-2 for me to make the best of our options



Close down the middle of the park quickly to win possession. Rinmota needs to go box to box has the best engine in the side for this. Wintle as a defensive midfielder to offer support for the back three if we get caught on the break.

Get the balls out to the wing quickly and whip them in for the two big strikers with Calum there to win second ball in dangerous positions.

NG as captain.

Bench:

Ralls
Whyte
Harris
Philogene
Ojo
Denham
Alnwick

Ralls and Whyte there to bring on when we want to slow the game and hold onto a lead (what's a lead I hear you ask? Well we can hope!)

Harris, Philogene and Ojo all fresh legs to bring in for Robinson, O'Dowda & Davies when pushing for a win/goal.

Denham as a cover for any defensive injuries. Would rather give him the experience than have Simpson on the bench.

Colwill is a luxury we simply can't afford at the minute and hasn't shown enough in the cameos he's had to earn a place in the side.

Decent but I'd go.

Allsop

Romeo, McGuiness, Kipre, NG

Ojo, Wintle, Rinomota, O'Dowda

Kaba, Etete

If Ojo's not on it Davies is on before halftime, show these players you mean business the same with Robinson for Etete or Kaba

Not a million miles away from Kettering's approach but it'd be a 3-4-1-2 for me to make the best of our options



Close down the middle of the park quickly to win possession. Rinmota needs to go box to box has the best engine in the side for this. Wintle as a defensive midfielder to offer support for the back three if we get caught on the break.

Get the balls out to the wing quickly and whip them in for the two big strikers with Calum there to win second ball in dangerous positions.

NG as captain.

Bench:

Ralls
Whyte
Harris
Philogene
Ojo
Denham
Alnwick

Ralls and Whyte there to bring on when we want to slow the game and hold onto a lead (what's a lead I hear you ask? Well we can hope!)

Harris, Philogene and Ojo all fresh legs to bring in for Robinson, O'Dowda & Davies when pushing for a win/goal.

Denham as a cover for any defensive injuries. Would rather give him the experience than have Simpson on the bench.

Colwill is a luxury we simply can't afford at the minute and hasn't shown enough in the cameos he's had to earn a place in the side.

Decent but I'd go.

Allsop

Romeo, McGuiness, Kipre, NG

Ojo, Wintle, Rinomota, O'Dowda

Kaba, Etete
Davies
If Ojo's not on it Davies is on before halftime, show these players you mean business the same with Robinson for Etete or Kaba

Funnily enough I was thinking after i posted this why not play wingers/wingbacks for 45 minutes a game - as in start with O'Dowda and Davies and get them up and down the pitch working their arses off for the first half knowing they are coming off at half time with Philogene and Ojo replacing them to do the same. Only position we have a surplus of players that could do a job in the first team.

Obviously madness and never going to happen as it sacrifices two subs each game, but would exciting to see two wide players busting there lungs for 45 minutes and another two ready to do it for the next. (I probably need to stop playing FIFA with my boy)

GK Alsop
RWB Romeo
CB NG
CB Kipre
CB McGuinness
LWB O'Dowda
CM Wintle
CM Rino
ACM Robinson
ST Kaba
ST Wickham

Not a million miles away from Kettering's approach but it'd be a 3-4-1-2 for me to make the best of our options

Allsop

NG, McGuiness, Kipre

O'Dowda, Wintle, Rinomota, Davies

Robinson

Kaba, Etete

Close down the middle of the park quickly to win possession. Rinmota needs to go box to box has the best engine in the side for this. Wintle as a defensive midfielder to offer support for the back three if we get caught on the break.

Get the balls out to the wing quickly and whip them in for the two big strikers with Calum there to win second ball in dangerous positions.

NG as captain.

Bench:

Ralls
Whyte
Harris
Philogene
Ojo
Denham
Alnwick

Ralls and Whyte there to bring on when we want to slow the game and hold onto a lead (what's a lead I hear you ask? Well we can hope!)

Harris, Philogene and Ojo all fresh legs to bring in for Robinson, O'Dowda & Davies when pushing for a win/goal.

Denham as a cover for any defensive injuries. Would rather give him the experience than have Simpson on the bench.

Colwill is a luxury we simply can't afford at the minute and hasn't shown enough in the cameos he's had to earn a place in the side.

I’d go with your starting XI for sure.

Anyone know if Lamouchi has used 3 centre backs at his previous clubs ?