How Cardiff City could freshen things up for the away tie at Middlesbrough
' Callum Paterson / Lee Camp / Danny Ward / Lee Tomlin "
By Jamie Kemble
Thursday 19th October 2017
Cardiff City have a number of options in the squad that could help get them back to winning ways against a Middlesbrough in underwhelming form.
After a scintillating start to league proceedings, the Bluebirds have dropped off a little in the last two games: one point earned, no goals scored.
But maybe it’s a case of ‘lies, damned lies and statistics’, to quote Mark Twain (or Benjamin Disraeli, as the story goes); City were unbeaten in four before the Birmingham game and that was against some quality opposition for the most part.
Nevertheless, boss Neil Warnock does have able replacements in his squad should he choose to ring the changes in an effort to shake City out of their recent lean spell.
Callum Paterson
Warnock jokingly made a reference to Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero when discussing the potential return of Scotland international Paterson to the fold; this followed his sensational hat-trick for the U23s against Blackburn.
Despite the banter, there is no doubt that this was quite some scoring feat, especially for a defender. More importantly, Paterson is getting game time after a lengthy injury layoff.
Warnock appeared to suggest that Paterson could find himself on the bench for the first team by the end of the month. There is a possibility that this opportunity may arise as soon as Middlesbrough away.
Once he has proven his fitness at a first team level, you would expect the full back to be challenging strongly for a starting slot.
With the absence of Jazz Richards, Paterson’s return could also prove vital in terms of providing competition for Lee Peltier.
Lee Camp
The former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper is probably in a position to start games for the first team now but, not unlike Paterson, he will probably have to settle for a bench slot beforehand.
Neil Etheridge has looked shaky at times this season and you feel that he will now come under increased pressure after the return from injury of Nothern Ireland international Camp.
Camp has acquited himself well in U23 games so far and will surely be desperate to prove he is Cardiff City’s number one over the coming weeks and months.
However, it would be unfair to suggest that Etheridge is totally to blame for the recent lean spell and you certainly can’t blame for the lack of goals. The introduction of Camp may have to wait until after the visit to the North East.
Danny Ward
The former Rotherham forward has thus far not hit the heights since his arrival at the Cardiff City Stadium. He hasn’t played more than 20 minutes in a single league game to this point. His only two starts have come in the EFL Cup.
Perhaps his time is overdue; Kenneth Zohore hasn’t exactly been prolific this season, bagging just three goals in a dozen games. The Dane’s game is about a lot more than goals but overall he was looking a little out of sorts until the epic encounter with Leeds.
It seems unlikely that Omar Bogle will be considered for a starting slot any time soon so if anybody is drafted in to solve the mini-goal drought then Ward is the safest bet. Whether that is in addition to Zohore or as his replacement remains to be seen.
Ward, 26, has never been a prolific scorer of goals. He notched just 19 goals in 95 games for Rotherham – hardly Harry Kane-level exploits but he is a converted left winger rather than a classic centre forward.
Lee Tomlin
Off-field issues may have stunted his Cardiff City career slightly but there was much fanfare when the creative midfielder was acquired from Severnside rivals Bristol City.
Tomlin’s former boss in Bristol, Lee Johnson, appeared to rue the loss of his talents in a press conference following the 0-0 draw with Burton Albion on Friday night.
The 28-year-old, who can also fill in as a secondary striker, has spent a lot of time warming the bench recently and failed to make an appearance even as City trailed Birmingham at St. Andrews.
Perhaps the re-introduction of Tomlin to the starting lineup could be boost the side needs for the remainder of October.
His crafting could take the pressure off Zohore somewhat and offer another avenue of attack beyond the wing channels.
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