Cardiff City road to success unlikely to be straightforward
by Chris Wathan, South Wales EchoAug 18 2012
IF the plan behind Vincent Tan’s red dawn was based more on superstition than selling shirts, he can claim to have had something of a point proved.
Certainly, fortune favoured the “brave new era” the powers that be at Cardiff City Stadium claim has come with the rebranding that had its first competitive outing last night.
And – after riding their luck at times – Mark Hudson’s late, late goal gave the watching Tan the chance he wanted at the final whistle to step into the spotlight, resplendent in red replica top and ‘Ayatollahing’ away for the cameras.
Yet Tan should have also noted something else from his evening’s entertainment in this Championship opener; namely that nothing is straightforward.
After all, this was not only the start of the red Bluebirds’ story but the second coming of Craig Bellamy, the man whose arrival would appease the controversial changes more than any other.
Indeed, when the hometown hero stated on his arrival that he would play in pink as long as it was still his Cardiff City it was a seal of approval for many. A case of “If Bellas is OK with it, then so am I.”
Yet there was not the scripted goal as against Doncaster on his first debut two years ago.
There was – eventually – the win that all and sundry wanted, but a reminder that you dare not take this division for granted.
Bellamy found it tough at times, as did Cardiff as a whole with an organised Huddersfield unwilling to be broken down and comfortable playing with each other after their promotion together to this level.
A reminder, then, for Tan that his money and grand plans alone do not guarantee anything when it comes to Championship football, even if the wished-for win came at the death.
The fans here need no such reminding, although they had seemed to have forgotten their collective voices for some time here.
The reasons for that depend on who you believe. The fuss of the summer, the surreal nature of watching the away side in blue, the smattering of empty seats.
More likely it was the slow start to a tentative opening affair, that took a time to get anyone off their seats.
Huddersfield had no such issue, teasing Cardiff with a set of chants that fans may have to get used to such as “Are you Wrexham in disguise?”
There was no chants of “Red Army” in return – a step too far perhaps – but there was no danger of ‘Dragons’ or ‘Redbirds’ replacing the guttural ‘Bluebirds’ roar as the sides walked out. Some things are simply not for changing.
Neither was there a danger of protests or in-fighting as had been both suggested and feared for various reasons, a peaceful demonstration cancelled.
While there were plenty still in blue, many others were in red happy to embrace the new start – and the cry of ‘one team, one voice’ from the tannoy before kick-off was particularly pertinent as the teams were introduced.
There was a sense, whatever your take on the summer’s story, that the first whistle at last brought the talking to stop and football itself back to the fore.
As strange as it was getting used to the colour change, where the white ball was heading quickly took the attention like it inevitably does.
That it wasn’t heading where Cardiff wanted it at times says it will take a time for another reshaped side to get up and running to match the ‘dynamism’ and ‘vibrancy’ that the red shirts are supposed to represent.
The partnerships will take time to form, the midfield three in particular still not quite sure when to go and when to stay, although all have the quality to suggest it will fully click sooner rather than later.
And the team will learn how to get the best out of Bellamy, doing so on a greater basis after the first 45 minutes here.
Indeed, one wriggle through two defenders came closest to handing Cardiff the lead before Hudson’s eventual sliding strike in injury time.
Bellamy will probably need time to adjust to his new level himself, something that happened on his last second-tier adventure before his explosive finish to the season that came so close to delivering promotion.
And although he has appeared a more relaxed character than previously, something he admits himself and cites poignant off-the-field events for, there was clearly still the same old spark in the livewire.
Predictably booed by the away fans, there was still the unfazed attitude, still the same exaggerated disagreements with decisions from the man in the middle.
More importantly, still a desire to win back possession in the final stages, still the rapid pace in the legs to cut out a counter-attack when it could have been easy to stay in attack and shun responsibility.
There was also the same joy when Hudson struck. The only difference was that his and Cardiff’s joy came dressed in red. Tan, like everyone, will hope for more of the same after he found fortune smiling.
The potential of this side suggests he could get it – but it won’t be straightforward.
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