13 conclusions from Cardiff City's pre-season tour of Devon and CornwallBy Dominic BoothMonday 23rd July 2018
The key things to take away from the Bluebirds' pre-season tourHow much can you learn from a pre-season tour?It's a question many Cardiff City fans will be asking after the Bluebirds' trip around Devon and Cornwall.
They beat Tavistock and Bodmin before a draw with Torquay United as the Premier League preparations got into full swing.
By way of a tribute to Callum Paterson's change of squad number (you can see all the players' numbers here) , here are 13 conclusions we drew from the South West trip...1. Neil Warnock isn’t changing for anyone
As if we needed reminding. The Yorkshireman is in charge round here and he wasn’t going to alter his ritual of heading to Devon and Cornwall for pre-season, not for the Premier League, not for anyone.
He remained adamant after the Torquay game that the tour had served its purpose and it’s difficult to argue with a man who has reshaped Cardiff City from top to bottom and secured a brilliant promotion.
2. Bobby Reid is a talentPossibly the most exciting element of the tour for Cardiff fans has been watching the diminutive Reid knit attacks together between the lines. He’s played mainly as a No.10 so far, so it looks like we can expect a more intricate style – at times – from Cardiff next season…
3. So is Josh MurphyRivalling Reid for the moniker ‘most exciting signing’ is the former Norwich City man, who spoke articulately to the press after Cardiff’s open training session and played some intelligent football, too.
The great thing about Reid and Murphy is they both possess pace, which is integral to Cardiff’s game, but they also have vision and inventiveness to utilise in the final third. You need that in the Premier League.
Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid are already indispensable and other things we learned from Cardiff City's draw with Torquay
4. The new kits are lovelyAbsolutely stunning. Adidas have stepped up and made a couple of corking efforts which Cardiff fans have lapped up ahead of the side’s first blue Premier League season.
It wasn’t just the poor on-field performances that plagued the Bluebirds’ last stint in the top flight, it was those awful red and black kits that went hand-in-hand with turmoil in the boardroom. Just another reason why this should be a MUCH more enjoyable campaign.
5. Selection dilemmas will be a theme of the seasonNeil Etheridge or Alex Smithies? Joe Bennett or Greg Cunningham? Where does Bruno Manga fit in? What about Mendez-Laing? That awful cliché ‘a nice problem to have’ is going to rear its head this season.
Warnock will simply struggle to get all his stars in the same team. But then you need a squad to compete in the Premier League.
6. We could see a new Gary MadineWhisper it, but Madine might just prove to be the £6million striker Cardiff signed and Warnock could have the last laugh. It appeared uncertain where the former Bolton forward would fit in after his goalless spell last season. But it’s amazing what a goal or three can do for your confidence and Madine has certainly had a spring in his step this week.
7. Lee Tomlin and Anthony Pilkington are not part of the planAny doubt over the pair’s status at the club was brought to an end with their appearances for the Under-23s. It was odd to see Tomlin and Pilkington – both experienced players with decent Championship reputations – play alongside the young Bluebirds, but Warnock was keen they both got minutes under their belts so they can earn good moves elsewhere.
Tomlin’s Cardiff career will always feel like a case of what might have been, while Pilkington will undoubtedly move on with a decent Bluebirds legacy given his role in the promotion last season. Both should be picked up by Championship sides and thrive in the future.
8. ... neither are Omar Bogle or Stuart O'KeefeThe pair were conspicuous by their absences from the tour. They didn't even feature in the Under-23s games like Tomlin and Pilkington and, as we understand it, weren't injured either.
It is clear that Warnock doesn't view either as a potential member of his 25-man squad.
For O'Keefe this probably marks the end of his association with Cardiff, despite having another year to run on his contract. For Bogle, it may be another loan, but it feels like the former Grimsby and Wigan striker had more to offer.
There's no room for sentimentality in the Premier League.
9. Cardiff must persevere with Rhys HealeyHe’s had injury problems, he’s been in and out of the first team picture – and yes, he did score NINE goals but against very modest opponents – but you still feel Healey could bring something to Cardiff City. Especially if Warnock fails to land a striker before the transfer deadline.
The youngster has talent, of that there is no doubt.
10. Cunningham or Bennett? We're still none the wiserAs mentioned above, this is one of Warnock's key selection dilemmas. Both appear solid at left back, while there is still the suggestion Warnock could field Cunningham on the left side of a three-man backline with Bennett more advanced.
Watch this space.
11. Lots of people have points to proveAs well as Madine, there's Zohore who will feel - after being linked with both Brighton and Everton last summer - he needs to lay down a marker in the Premier League.
Etheridge was rejected by Fulham earlier in his career, Bamba hasn't ever been given the chance to strut his stuff in the Premier League, while Gunnarsson's decision to extend his Cardiff contract probably centres around the Ice Man's desire to do it in the big league again.
12. Next week is vitalThe opposition will get stronger and the tactical side of everything will be tested further.
Both Warnock and the players must develop as a unit.
13. The Bluebirds fans will play a huge part next seasonOkay, fans of every Premier League club will feel they can urge their team onto glory next season, but the way the raucous 900 Bluebirds cheered on their side at Plainmoor - and the appetite for both home and away Premier League tickets - makes you realise just how special this is for Cardiff City.
The promotion celebrations have barely died down. But this is something extra, something to be cherished.
You can bet your life Warnock's team will have the support of every fan from first minute to last, such has been the surprise nature of their achievements.
But times will get tough and the Bluebirds will need a lift from time to time. Judging from the Torquay game, the 'barmy army' will provide that boost.
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