THREE PROBLEMS FACING CITY INTO JANUARY?
Mon Jan 08, 2018 3:38 pm
The three problems facing Cardiff City after a bleak winter for Neil Warnock's troops
By Scott Johnson
Monday 8th Jan 2018
Football moves fast. A couple of weeks ago, Cardiff City were heading into the Christmas period in the top two with a comfortable points cushion and an air of invincibility. Fast forward a couple of weeks and four consecutive defeats, they’ve dropped out of the automatic places and need to find some way to stop the rot.
In retrospect, some of Cardiff’s results leading up to this run were better than their performances and maybe there is an element of things balancing out.
Nevertheless, they need to return to winning ways as soon as possible, but the reality is that it's not as simple as plugging Sean Morrison back into the defence.
I’m not expecting the Bluebirds to fall away. I think this squad and Neil Warnock are far too good for that to happen, but there are still pressing concerns going forward...
Lee Tomlin
Where to start with Lee Tomlin? This is the recurring problem that does not look like resolving itself any time soon.
Signed as the sort of player Cardiff were crying out for, he has since become an expensive frustration, spending far more time on the bench than on the pitch.
Of the 28 games where Tomlin has featured in the match day squad, he has started only seven games, remaining an unused substitute 13 times.
Tomlin has one goal and no assists thus far, with 15 players recording more minutes than him. When he does emerge from the bench, it is on average with about 15 minutes of the game remaining and it has not gone unnoticed that he was ignored as a substitute option when Cardiff were trailing against QPR or Fulham recently.
Obviously there have been certain extra-curricular issues at play, but surely Cardiff would have been aware of those when they signed him. The question is whether the primary issue relates to fitness, trust or a bit of both.
It is remarkable that five months into the season, Tomlin looks no more equipped for regular first-team football than he did at the beginning of the season, when he started the first two games — his only consecutive starts.
Tomlin has played 504 minutes thus far, so extending that over the rest of the season, he would only play just over 1,000 minutes, which is about as much as Craig Bryson has already played. Yet last season, he notched up 2707 minutes in 38 appearances for Bristol City. Was he in far better condition last year, do they have lower standards or did they use him differently?
Surely Warnock knew what he was letting himself in for, so the situation really is hard to fathom.
Tomlin feels like the missing link, but he can’t even get on the pitch. When he does, he does not always cover himself in glory either, but it must be hard to find form when you feature so infrequently. It’s a merry-go-round that never stops.
The Aron Gunnarsson conundrum
Of all the players currently absent, it is probably Aron Gunnarsson that Cardiff miss the most right now. How they have yearned for the Ice Man's leadership and warrior spirit while he has watched on from the sidelines after ankle surgery.
Seeing as Cardiff haven’t been able to call upon Gunnarsson on a regular basis since mid-September though, you would have to say that they’ve done pretty well in his absence — but they need him back more than ever now.
The reality though is that Cardiff may well have to get used to a future without Gunnarsson, with his contract expiring in the summer and the likelihood that he will only consider agreeing a new one if Cardiff go up.
At least he has laid his cards on the table and we all know where we stand.
The problem Cardiff now have is whether or not they cash in on Gunnarsson during the January transfer window or potentially lose a valuable asset for free in the summer.
Everything points towards him staying, which is a boost for the immediate future, but is it the right decision in the long-term?
Hypothetically, were they to cash in (and I personally hope they don’t), they could generate funds to sign a replacement. With parachute payments ending this season and cuts inevitable if the Bluebirds don’t go up, can they afford to ignore such a potential revenue stream?
Gunnarsson’s commitment is without question, but you could certainly understand if he already has half an eye on the forthcoming World Cup, the first in his nation’s history. An impressive showing in Russia could also lead to a lucrative move, probably the last of his career.
Hopefully Gunnarsson will go on to star at the World Cup as a Cardiff City player, but should he remain a peripheral figure for the remainder of the season and decide to walk away, the club may regret not inviting interest.
Fatigue
The single biggest concern for Cardiff has to be how knackered several key players already look. The front three in particular look ready for the beach yet continue to play week in, week out.
Obviously, this is a result of necessity, with many players are currently absent, but that has not always been the case. Warnock was crying out for more strength in depth last season, but when he finally had it, he has still been reluctant to mix things up.
Initially, he did not want to break up a winning side, which was understandable, but the warning signs were there when a fatigued Cardiff crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Preston in September.
That game appeared to be an anomaly at the time, but has recently become the norm.
Taking Nathaniel Mendez-Laing as a case in point, he played his way in to the side and has remained as a permanent fixture. Not only that, he is rarely withdrawn either. He was taken off once — with six minutes remaining — in September but has otherwise played every minute until he eventually broke down a few minutes in to the Severnside derby in November.
When he returned to the side, Mendez-Laing was back to playing every minute of every game, but now his blistering early season form feels like a distant memory. Junior Hoilett has struggled in recent weeks too, having played through the summer, like Kenneth Zohore.
Without a bit more rotation, Cardiff are facing an uphill battle, as fatigue continues to prove their toughest opponent.
By Scott Johnson
Monday 8th Jan 2018
Football moves fast. A couple of weeks ago, Cardiff City were heading into the Christmas period in the top two with a comfortable points cushion and an air of invincibility. Fast forward a couple of weeks and four consecutive defeats, they’ve dropped out of the automatic places and need to find some way to stop the rot.
In retrospect, some of Cardiff’s results leading up to this run were better than their performances and maybe there is an element of things balancing out.
Nevertheless, they need to return to winning ways as soon as possible, but the reality is that it's not as simple as plugging Sean Morrison back into the defence.
I’m not expecting the Bluebirds to fall away. I think this squad and Neil Warnock are far too good for that to happen, but there are still pressing concerns going forward...
Lee Tomlin
Where to start with Lee Tomlin? This is the recurring problem that does not look like resolving itself any time soon.
Signed as the sort of player Cardiff were crying out for, he has since become an expensive frustration, spending far more time on the bench than on the pitch.
Of the 28 games where Tomlin has featured in the match day squad, he has started only seven games, remaining an unused substitute 13 times.
Tomlin has one goal and no assists thus far, with 15 players recording more minutes than him. When he does emerge from the bench, it is on average with about 15 minutes of the game remaining and it has not gone unnoticed that he was ignored as a substitute option when Cardiff were trailing against QPR or Fulham recently.
Obviously there have been certain extra-curricular issues at play, but surely Cardiff would have been aware of those when they signed him. The question is whether the primary issue relates to fitness, trust or a bit of both.
It is remarkable that five months into the season, Tomlin looks no more equipped for regular first-team football than he did at the beginning of the season, when he started the first two games — his only consecutive starts.
Tomlin has played 504 minutes thus far, so extending that over the rest of the season, he would only play just over 1,000 minutes, which is about as much as Craig Bryson has already played. Yet last season, he notched up 2707 minutes in 38 appearances for Bristol City. Was he in far better condition last year, do they have lower standards or did they use him differently?
Surely Warnock knew what he was letting himself in for, so the situation really is hard to fathom.
Tomlin feels like the missing link, but he can’t even get on the pitch. When he does, he does not always cover himself in glory either, but it must be hard to find form when you feature so infrequently. It’s a merry-go-round that never stops.
The Aron Gunnarsson conundrum
Of all the players currently absent, it is probably Aron Gunnarsson that Cardiff miss the most right now. How they have yearned for the Ice Man's leadership and warrior spirit while he has watched on from the sidelines after ankle surgery.
Seeing as Cardiff haven’t been able to call upon Gunnarsson on a regular basis since mid-September though, you would have to say that they’ve done pretty well in his absence — but they need him back more than ever now.
The reality though is that Cardiff may well have to get used to a future without Gunnarsson, with his contract expiring in the summer and the likelihood that he will only consider agreeing a new one if Cardiff go up.
At least he has laid his cards on the table and we all know where we stand.
The problem Cardiff now have is whether or not they cash in on Gunnarsson during the January transfer window or potentially lose a valuable asset for free in the summer.
Everything points towards him staying, which is a boost for the immediate future, but is it the right decision in the long-term?
Hypothetically, were they to cash in (and I personally hope they don’t), they could generate funds to sign a replacement. With parachute payments ending this season and cuts inevitable if the Bluebirds don’t go up, can they afford to ignore such a potential revenue stream?
Gunnarsson’s commitment is without question, but you could certainly understand if he already has half an eye on the forthcoming World Cup, the first in his nation’s history. An impressive showing in Russia could also lead to a lucrative move, probably the last of his career.
Hopefully Gunnarsson will go on to star at the World Cup as a Cardiff City player, but should he remain a peripheral figure for the remainder of the season and decide to walk away, the club may regret not inviting interest.
Fatigue
The single biggest concern for Cardiff has to be how knackered several key players already look. The front three in particular look ready for the beach yet continue to play week in, week out.
Obviously, this is a result of necessity, with many players are currently absent, but that has not always been the case. Warnock was crying out for more strength in depth last season, but when he finally had it, he has still been reluctant to mix things up.
Initially, he did not want to break up a winning side, which was understandable, but the warning signs were there when a fatigued Cardiff crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Preston in September.
That game appeared to be an anomaly at the time, but has recently become the norm.
Taking Nathaniel Mendez-Laing as a case in point, he played his way in to the side and has remained as a permanent fixture. Not only that, he is rarely withdrawn either. He was taken off once — with six minutes remaining — in September but has otherwise played every minute until he eventually broke down a few minutes in to the Severnside derby in November.
When he returned to the side, Mendez-Laing was back to playing every minute of every game, but now his blistering early season form feels like a distant memory. Junior Hoilett has struggled in recent weeks too, having played through the summer, like Kenneth Zohore.
Without a bit more rotation, Cardiff are facing an uphill battle, as fatigue continues to prove their toughest opponent.
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Re: THREE PROBLEMS FACING CITY INTO JANUARY?
Mon Jan 08, 2018 3:52 pm
There are more than 3 problems....................
Re: THREE PROBLEMS FACING CITY INTO JANUARY?
Mon Jan 08, 2018 4:01 pm
Danny Says wrote:There are more than 3 problems....................
About 99 but a bitch aint one.
Re: THREE PROBLEMS FACING CITY INTO JANUARY?
Mon Jan 08, 2018 5:22 pm
Danny Says wrote:There are more than 3 problems....................
Go on then, make a start...
Re: THREE PROBLEMS FACING CITY INTO JANUARY?
Mon Jan 08, 2018 6:24 pm
I agree with all the op says there its a weird one with the fatigue thing.
These are supposed to be professional footballers at a professional club with a good proven manager.
Why do we look so bloody knackered .
Tomlin is one that comes in this fatigue bracket. Im sure Warnock isnt stupid and knows whats what but it does seem odd.
Lots of injuries at the same time any club would struggle we just need a boost fresh legs couple of players to come in and freshen it up.
They say they will do this not easy in January hopefully it works out for us.
Also right about gunner hope he stays hope he gets fit soon for us hes said his bit been honest so up to the club what do about him .
Harris is another we miss on the wing the list goes on.
Hopefully it all gets sorted soon.
Another question mark is Zahore is he going find past form this is critical he does gonna be make or brake for our season hes struggling at mo to be anywhere near his best.
In Warnock i trust.
These are supposed to be professional footballers at a professional club with a good proven manager.
Why do we look so bloody knackered .
Tomlin is one that comes in this fatigue bracket. Im sure Warnock isnt stupid and knows whats what but it does seem odd.
Lots of injuries at the same time any club would struggle we just need a boost fresh legs couple of players to come in and freshen it up.
They say they will do this not easy in January hopefully it works out for us.
Also right about gunner hope he stays hope he gets fit soon for us hes said his bit been honest so up to the club what do about him .
Harris is another we miss on the wing the list goes on.
Hopefully it all gets sorted soon.
Another question mark is Zahore is he going find past form this is critical he does gonna be make or brake for our season hes struggling at mo to be anywhere near his best.
In Warnock i trust.
Re: THREE PROBLEMS FACING CITY INTO JANUARY?
Mon Jan 08, 2018 7:55 pm
The fatigue problem is easily explainable we don’t hold onto the ball for long enough,we can’t string more than half a dozen passes together hence we spend the majority of the game trying to get back and when we do we usually look for the miracle pass or long ball and end up chasing it again. Earlier in season it came off because we were scoring goals and getting more than our share of good luck teams that came to us played more attractive football than we did but got frustrated because we had a great defence and we capitalised on it. Injuries have taken thier toll unfortunately and surprisingly to key players and not to players we could probably get away with losing also the length of time they’ve been out not just missing a game but a few games. We need midfield player/players who can hold onto the ball and draw the foul like tomlin. NW says he doesn’t think he’s fit enough yet to play 90mins but he wouldn’t need to be if we held onto the ball longer. When he starts he spends most of his time running after the ball as well which is a waste of his talent.
Re: THREE PROBLEMS FACING CITY INTO JANUARY?
Mon Jan 08, 2018 8:23 pm
The fatigue problem is easily explainable we don’t hold onto the ball for long enough,we can’t string more than half a dozen passes together hence we spend the majority of the game trying to get back and when we do we usually look for the miracle pass or long ball and end up chasing it again. Earlier in season it came off because we were scoring goals and getting more than our share of good luck teams that came to us played more attractive football than we did but got frustrated because we had a great defence and we capitalised on it. Injuries have taken thier toll unfortunately and surprisingly to key players and not to players we could probably get away with losing also the length of time they’ve been out not just missing a game but a few games. We need midfield player/players who can hold onto the ball and draw the foul like tomlin. NW says he doesn’t think he’s fit enough yet to play 90mins but he wouldn’t need to be if we held onto the ball longer. When he starts he spends most of his time running after the ball as well which is a waste of his talent.
Re: THREE PROBLEMS FACING CITY INTO JANUARY?
Mon Jan 08, 2018 8:30 pm
Sven wrote:Danny Says wrote:There are more than 3 problems....................
Go on then, make a start...
I’ll tell you what’s not a problem - we are currently 3rd and only one point of 2nd despite losing 4 on the trot; providing we can get through a replay, we have a fabulous 4th round FA cup draw; apart from the last home game I can honestly say that watching City this season has been the most enjoyable for a good while; we’ve got a great manager.
Re: THREE PROBLEMS FACING CITY INTO JANUARY?
Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:44 pm
bluebirdoct1962 wrote:Sven wrote:Danny Says wrote:There are more than 3 problems....................
Go on then, make a start...
I’ll tell you what’s not a problem - we are currently 3rd and only one point of 2nd despite losing 4 on the trot; providing we can get through a replay, we have a fabulous 4th round FA cup draw; apart from the last home game I can honestly say that watching City this season has been the most enjoyable for a good while; we’ve got a great manager.