Why Cardiff City will clinch the last automatic promotion spot
The 72
Tuesday 17th April 2018
After finishing twelfth in last season’s Championship table, it has been a suprise to see the Bluebirds at the top end of the ladder this time around. However, Neil Warnock has constructed a side that looks destined for the promised land.
Warnock’s men currently lie in second place, one point inside the automatic spots, with a game in hand on closest challengers Fulham. After the Cottagers conceded a last minute equaliser against Brentford on Saturday, it left the door wide open for Warnock’s men, who secured a crucial victory late on at Norwich, with goals from Kenneth Zohore and Junior Hoilett.
Warnock was brought in by Cardiff last season, tasked with ensuring City’s stay in the second tier. He comfortably kept the Bluebirds up, and his summer signings have been influential in Cardiff’s resurgence this year.
The free transfer signings of Callum Paterson and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing have proved to be inspired, as both have been outstanding for the Welsh side. Paterson, originally deployed as a right back, has found himself at the heart of Cardiff’s midfield, and has notched an impressive nine goals becoming the clubs top goalscorer. Mendez-Laing, brought in from Rochdale, has provided some much-needed flair and creativity alongside Junior Hoilett. Marko Grujic was brought in during the January window and has been in superb form. The Serbian midfielder has established himself as a regular in the Cardiff squad and has shown why Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes he has a big future at Anfield.
After a heartbreaking one-nil defeat to Wolves and missing two 90th minute penalties, Cardiff lost by a goal to nil at fellow promotion chasers Aston Villa, and it looked as if the Bluebirds automatic promotion chances had disappeared. But a vital win at Carrow Road has put them back in the driving seat.
They face Nottingham Forest, Derby, Hull, and Reading in their last four games, and Cardiff fans should expect at least nine points out of twelve if they are to secure a return to the Premier League since 2014.
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