City's start this season and first under Malky Mackay — But

The striking similarities between Cardiff City's start this season and first under Malky Mackay — but Neil Warnock will set bar higher


By Tom Coleman (Media Wales)

Monday 14th August 2017

It's always a little difficult to really get a feel of a side after just two games in the Championship, which as everyone knows is an unforgiving and punishing league that rarely hesitates in exposing teams' weaknesses.

As Cardiff City's opponents on Saturday will testify, life in English football's second tier is seldom straightforward, even if you happen to be one of the so-called 'big guns' like Aston Vila.

With that in mind, it's no wonder that Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock is refusing to get carried away , although there is undoubtedly every reason for City to feel positive after dismantling one of the early-season favourites for promotion.

This is Cardiff's best opening to a campaign since 2011/12, where they were under the stewardship of a certain Malkay Mackay, and the similarities between this start and the one made during that season are incredibly similar.

Back then, the Bluebirds kicked off the reign of their new boss with a hard-fought 1-0 away win at West Ham United, sealed courtesy of a dramatic late winner from Kenny Miller.

Swap West Ham United for Burton Albion, and Kenny Miller for Kenneth Zohore, and you have the narrative for the start of this campaign.

The similarities continue when you consider the charges of August 2011 followed up that victory with an extra-time League Cup win over lower league outfit Oxford United, much like how Warnock's side laboured past League One Portsmouth.

And, just as City did against Aston Villa on Saturday, Cardiff found themselves in scintillating form during their opening home game in the league six years ago, treating their fans to three goals in an impressive win over rivals Bristol City. A big win in a big game.

Malky Mackay was loved by Cardiff City fans


But that might well be where Warnock would like the similarities to end.

After a flying start, the class of 2011/12 soon had their wings clipped, after being comfortably beaten 3-1 in a midweek contest at home to Brighton who — like Tuesday 's visitors to the Cardiff City Stadium, Sheffield United — had just been promoted from League One.

All of this is unlikely to have entered the mind of Warnock as he prepares for Tuesday's game against his old club, but his assessment following Saturday's 3-0 victory that "confidence is brittle" is arguably right on the money, and the side from 2011 is living proof.

Back then, the humbling suffered at the hands of the Seagulls sparked a run that saw Mackay's men claim just one league win in their next six games, although it's worth mentioning they remained unbeaten.

Nevertheless, given Warnock's determination not to play catch-up with his potential promotion rivals this season, he would rightly see a repeat of that run as a setback to his ambitions at the Cardiff City Stadium.

But under Mackay, it was a run that punctuated an otherwise comparatively decent campaign, and even saw him claim a Manager of the Month award.

And although they didn't seal promotion, a venture to the League Cup final and play-off qualification meant it was one of their more memorable Bluebirds campaigns in recent years.

It's worth stressing that should a similar season unfold, there will rightfully be plenty of back-slapping done in the capital on the progress made and, Warnock himself would be heralded for a job well done.

However, Warnock has never been the sort of character to aim for a losers' medal at Wembley or to merely make up the numbers in the play-offs.

The standards set for himself and his team will mean that a measure of true success will not only be to get into the Premier League, but to stay there too.



Cardiff's start in 2011/12

West Ham United (a) Won 1-0

Oxford United (a) Won 3-1 (aet)

Bristol City (h) Won 3-1

Cardiff's start in 2017/18

Burton Albion (a) Won 1-0

Portsmouth (h) Won 2-1 (aet)

Aston Villa (h) Won 3-0








Malky Mackay was loved by Cardiff City fans

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I think drawing comparisons after two games is dangerous route to go down, let's enjoy each game as they come and see where we are after 10 games, then at Christmas, then in March as you never know come the end of season!

One thing I will say so far this season is the brand of football Warnock is playing is a lot more exciting than Makly, we don't know where the next goal will come from or who will score it. Before I get slated by the Makly fans I just want to stress I loved Malky and what he achieved (with what I believe to be a modest budget) was amazing, however to watch us scrap wins through defensive hard work wasn't the most exciting and also pretty nerve wracking.

C'mon the City and roll on Shef Utd

The win against West Ham was daylight robbery and the victory over the Wurzels was a first half dominance that caught the carrot crunchers out.

Although the first half at Burton was nothing to write home about since then we have just dominated the football. Under Malky we won through hard work but under Warnock it has been a lot more than that. I will be very surprised if the Blades do a Brighton on us tomorrow night.

Malkeys team worked hard as a team played on the counter.
Warnock is the same but a better tactician and has a strong Bench and not afraid to change things.
We will not have it all our way early days yet but a good start .
Job is to keep it going .