" CARDIFF CITY ARE UNDER NO PRESSURE "
By Harry Mail
Sunday 20th May 2018
No pressure
The Bluebirds are under no pressure next season, but they must make the Cardiff City Stadium a fortress. It is a difficult place to go when it is full. The fans are behind the team. Neil Warnock and his side have given supporters a reason to come to matches. That is massive going into the Premier League.
In terms of away games, Cardiff should stick to their game plan. Being tight at the back and hard to break down will help them next season.
Exciting times are on offer for Bluebirds’ faithful. The club can maintain the atmosphere by properly preparing for the coming season. They no doubt have a tough campaign in store. If the team looks to Burnley and Bournemouth as examples, staying up next season will set the foundation for a promising future.
The squad
Cardiff have a strong core who should stand them in good stead in the top flight. Sean Morrison, Sol Bamba, Joe Ralls, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Junior Holiett and Kenneth Zohore have been instrumental in City's success. Their continued success will be critical to the club's Premier League survival.
That said, it is worrisome that some players do not have Premier League experience. Neil Etheridge, Callum Paterson, Ralls, Bamba and Zohore, all first-teamers for Warnock, have never played in the top flight. It is a huge step. They must prepare and adapt.
The Bluebirds will rely on Morrison, Holiett, Joe Bennett and Aron Gunnarsson's for their Premier League experience. Knowing what it takes to play at the top level, they will be important players in the dressing room.
A well-balanced blend of top-flight experience and novices can sometimes work well. Think about Leicester's title run. Even though it came two seasons after promotion, there were still players new to the Premier League in the squad, most notably N'golo Kante. Some players have no fear.
Recruitment
It is crucial that Cardiff preserve roster continuity. Promoted teams often rip apart the squad that got them there by signing eight or more new players. It rarely works. No doubt, the Bluebirds need to add more quality, but they should not go overboard. Warnock has stressed the need to sign six new players at most.
A second keeper to push or support Nigel Etheridge is the priority. Then Warnock must bring in a full-back and centre-half. A central midfielder, winger and striker would balance out the additions. Despite Zohore's ability to strike from anywhere, Cardiff must sharpen their cutting edge. More attacking players are needed.
A significant difference between the Championship and Premier League is the number of chances that arrive in a game. Teams in the top flight's lower reaches are usually only given one or two chances to score in a match. You need strikers who feed off scraps.
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