Why Cardiff City fans should ignore mean-spirited

Why Cardiff City fans should ignore mean-spirited Match of the Day pundits and enjoy every minute of what's happening


By Scott Johnson

Wednesday 5th September 2018

Fan columnist Scott Johnson has his say on how the Cardiff faithful should view the rest of the season

I must admit, I approached this season with trepidation.

Excitement, but a bit nervous with regards to how Cardiff would fare in amongst the Premier League elite. The public and mainstream media coverage certainly contributed to that, with the general consensus being that Neil Warnock’s men are only there to make up the numbers.

The fact that they actually secured promotion didn’t really sink in all summer either. It was so unexpected, despite being there or thereabouts all year. It still felt like it had crept up on me and was scarcely believable.

The first game seemed to compound my worst fears. Cardiff really struggled in the first half at Bournemouth. They couldn’t cope with the intensity, movement or quality of their hosts and were hanging on for dear life at times. Bearing in mind that this was a fairly middling top flight side, I was already fearing the worst.

But then Cardiff found their feet. They usually do and that’s why we love them so.


Josh Murphy making his Premier League debut for Cardiff City against Bournemouth
In the second half, Cardiff started to impose themselves on the game and pin Bournemouth back in their own half in spells. It may have ended in a 2-0 defeat, but there were signs of encouragement.

The first home game was always going to be special and so it proved. I can only speak for myself, although I know many others feel the same way, but seeing Cardiff playing in blue in the Premier League is a big deal.

I have some fond memories of their previous top flight season, but there was so much baggage and negativity surrounding the club at the time, it was all tainted. This year, everyone is on the same page and it really does feel like the first time.

Cardiff were a match for Newcastle, who were an unhappy bunch the last time we played them in the Premier League and very little has changed since, and worthy of their point. Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa gave the Cardiff midfield the bite and finesse that was clearly lacking at Bournemouth, while Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid have added some much needed flair in attack.



Cardiff bought well in the summer, but whether or not they bought well enough remains to be seen. Wolves and Fulham have blown Cardiff out of the water with their spending and distorted the market to some extent.

I don’t think Warnock would be comfortable spending that sort of money if it was on offer to be honest. You get the impression that he finds the flamboyance of the Premier League a major turn off and would fear that he might erode the team spirit that got Cardiff promoted in the first place.

Having said that, you do get what you pay for and it was a bit disappointing to see Cardiff spend so conservatively. With the huge sums on offer for playing in and staying in the Premier League, you have to reinvest a substantial proportion of that if you hope to be competitive. You need that extra bit of quality in order to break sides down because graft and passion will only get you so far.

Arsenal served a timely reminder of this on Sunday. With the score tied, there was not too much happening when Mesut Ozil received possession in midfield. Three passes later, in the blink of an eye, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was bending in Arsenal’s second to restore their lead. That would never happen in the Championship and you cannot afford to switch off for a second at this level.

In many respects, the Huddersfield performance was the most encouraging because Cardiff were absolutely rock solid. It took for the opposition to go down to 10 men before Cardiff offered any attacking threat, but they looked comfortable throughout.


Neil Warnock speaks with Harry Arter after Cardiff's draw at Huddersfield (Image: 2018 Getty Images)
As different as all four games have been, the common thread is that I have really enjoyed all of them. I’m seduced by seeing Cardiff play at this level and their games may not appeal to the purists, but I have found them all riveting. Stressful and frustrating at times too, but I’ve loved every minute of them.

Warnock recently alluded to the fact that he knows Cardiff supporters will be behind the team no matter what and that has certainly not always been the case, but I do believe he’s right. You can’t legislate for a vocal minority that are always on the verge of turning, but on the whole, we all realise we’re fighting a losing battle and are determined to enjoy it regardless.

We all know that Cardiff have shortcomings and certain disadvantages, but as long as they give their all, you can’t ask for more than that. It’s why Cardiff received a standing ovation despite losing to Arsenal. It was recognition that they had given all.

We all want Cardiff to be competitive and no one wants to watch a losing side every week, but you have to keep sight of the bigger picture. Promotion saved Cardiff and insulated them for the next few years. Had they not gone up, chances are they would have spent the summer asset stripping rather than splashing the cash.

Great write up, can't disagree with any off that.

Great write up, can't disagree with any off that.

Fair play to Scott it's a great write up and I would imagine 99% of the fans feel the same.

Not bothering watching Match Of The Day this season, the standard of the commentary and the so called football pundits is appalling. The bias against Cardiff is so obvious and they would love to see us go down but with our us against the world mentality and our passion and spirit we will prove them wrong.

Not bothering watching Match Of The Day this season, the standard of the commentary and the so called football pundits is appalling. The bias against Cardiff is so obvious and they would love to see us go down but with our us against the world mentality and our passion and spirit we will prove them wrong.

For me it's different. I actually started to watch MoD this season

I agree, when they talk about Cardiff it's all negative. Best game of the season and all they were talking were mistakes.

I think the majority of things the pundits said on MOTD after the Arsenal where correct. Perhaps not what we want to hear but still.

I agree, I think they have given a fair view of things as a neutral. Of course not what everyone wants to be hearing but its the truth which people find hard to take.

Found it difficult to disagree with anything they said. We made mistakes and were punished for them, plus we failed to take all our chances, even when the opposing goalkeeper decided to pass straight to one of our players. I thought their comments were perfectly fair, and I'm not sure what else they were supposed to say. The fact it was an entertaining game does not mean we are beyond criticism.

Our last season in the Prem I watched MoTD and we got more positive comments from Gary Lineker. I guessed it was more to do with his Cardiff girlfriend at the time. This time around I record it and fast forward through the so called pundits.

Found it difficult to disagree with anything they said. We made mistakes and were punished for them, plus we failed to take all our chances, even when the opposing goalkeeper decided to pass straight to one of our players. I thought their comments were perfectly fair, and I'm not sure what else they were supposed to say. The fact it was an entertaining game does not mean we are beyond criticism.

I agree they said what they had to say, but with a negative slant, they did not focus on the positives at all in my eyes, but I am probably sensitive and biased towards City. Ian Wright is a dick anyway, I never take any notice of what he says.

Shearar the other week was more balanced and showed some positivity in my mind.

Found it difficult to disagree with anything they said. We made mistakes and were punished for them, plus we failed to take all our chances, even when the opposing goalkeeper decided to pass straight to one of our players. I thought their comments were perfectly fair, and I'm not sure what else they were supposed to say. The fact it was an entertaining game does not mean we are beyond criticism.

I agree they said what they had to say, but with a negative slant, they did not focus on the positives at all in my eyes, but I am probably sensitive and biased towards City. Ian Wright is a dick anyway, I never take any notice of what he says.

Shearar the other week was more balanced and showed some positivity in my mind.

Wrighty is a Gooner, so he was always going to have a slant on the game but overall I thought what he said was pretty correct. There was, I agree, limited positivity but that (I'm afraid) is the nature of the BBC programme called Match of the Day, i.e. biased towards the Premier League 'establishment' of 7 or 8 clubs and apparently determined to pre-judge seasonal outcomes and styles of play before a ball has hardly been kicked

Alan Shearer, who apparently 'bottled' taking on the City job when it was offered, was a little more considered for the game against his beloved Newcastle but that is to forget the disdain he has for that club's current owner

When all is said and done, the reality is that for 19 of the other clubs in our league we don't take too much notice of what is said on MotD or any other media programme; but as soon as our own club is mentioned we digest and dissect the tiniest detail

Nature of the beast, I'm afraid and we just have to get used to being kept out of a closed shop!