One factor is driving Cardiff City's survival bid and their
Wed Nov 14, 2018 6:54 am
One factor is driving Cardiff City's survival bid and their rivals would love to have it
By - Scott Johnson -
Wednesday 14th November 2018
How well are Cardiff City doing this season?
Everyone will have their own opinion on this I guess, it depends on how you care to spin it.
Obviously, two wins and two draws from 12 games — or eight points from a potential 36 — is not a great return, but they’re not alone in that regard. Cardiff remain in the bottom three on goal difference, but things are so congested at the foot of the table that they remain a solitary point off Newcastle in 14th.
Cardiff have also endured a torrid run of fixtures against most of the division’s big hitters. They now face a run of far less daunting games and presumably it’s the turn of their rivals to face down the top six instead.
With almost a third of the season gone, the table is starting to take shape and Cardiff are pretty much where you would expect them to be. No better and no worse. What separates them all come the end of the season is likely to come down to one of a few different factors.
Individual brilliance can drag an otherwise mediocre team up the league. Crystal Palace are a very different team with and without Wilfried Zaha, for example.
A successful January transfer window can give a team the lift they need to go on a run that steers them clear of danger.
There is also always the option of replacing the manager, an option that Southampton and Fulham may be considering over the international break, if reports are to be believed.
The other quality that is so important is team spirit and togetherness.
Cardiff lack an outstanding talent who can carry the team to safety, we do not yet know how much they will have to spend when the transfer window opens either. Fortunately, they have plenty of spirit and unity. If Cardiff do manage to stay up, it is likely to be because they have managed to stick together and keep fighting against the odds.
The win on Saturday against Brighton was a timely reminder of these qualities. Having gone a goal down, they got back on level terms and kept plugging away until they eventually got their reward late on.
In many respects, it was not a great performance. It took them a long time to get going, their ball retention was not great and they were wasteful in possession. There were also some key positives though and they certainly outweigh the negatives.
I thought it was interesting that Cardiff passed more as the game went on. Ordinarily, when up against 10 men and running out of time, you would expect Cardiff to go long, like they did without success when trailing Leicester the week before. Against Brighton, Cardiff started lumping it early in the game, much to the derision of the travelling supporters, but eventually got it down, played it about and got their reward.
Their equaliser was a brilliant passing move that was capped by some individual brilliance by Kadeem Harris, who produced a jinking run and lofted cross to supply Callum Paterson. Both players were excellent throughout and have a place in the side on merit.
Again, depending on how you view these things, some will find it telling that Cardiff were forced to turn to Harris, a player that has shown promise and faded away several times already over the years.
The fact that our right-back is playing up front speaks volumes too, but in any case Cardiff are very fortunate that they had no option but to roll the dice — and somehow won.
It’s now hard to believe that Paterson started on the bench in eight consecutive games earlier in the season after underwhelming at Bournemouth on the opening day. How did we ever make do without him?
The only player who probably topped these two on Saturday was Aron Gunnarsson, who was again exceptional.
Having been written off by some, he has made a world of difference since his return against Fulham. In an otherwise frantic midfield, he has provided a calming influence and although he might not have the stamina of old, he has the know-how to sniff out attacks before they have chance to materialise.
I also thought that Greg Cunningham’s performance was a plus. Plenty seem to have taken against him because they prefer Joe Bennett and consider it harsh on the occasions that he has been left out, but Cunningham is a solid, able deputy when required.
Criticising a player for what he's not rather than what he is always strikes me as rather harsh and chances are that Alex Smithies will probably endure this in January when Neil Etheridge heads off to the Asia Cup.
It has not gone unnoticed that Cardiff looked far more at home playing Fulham and Brighton, who are in many respects akin to a Championship side. They have struggled against the finesse and movement of the established Premier League sides they have encountered and whether they find a way to adapt against such teams will probably go a long way towards deciding their fate.
The Bluebirds can look forward to a run of kinder fixtures in the lead up to Christmas though and they must their boots. Chances are that they won’t outplay or outsmart anyone, but they’ll never give up — and as long as they hold that belief, they have a fighting chance.
Cardiff and Huddersfield are constantly being written off, but both may yet prove their doubters wrong.
By - Scott Johnson -
Wednesday 14th November 2018
How well are Cardiff City doing this season?
Everyone will have their own opinion on this I guess, it depends on how you care to spin it.
Obviously, two wins and two draws from 12 games — or eight points from a potential 36 — is not a great return, but they’re not alone in that regard. Cardiff remain in the bottom three on goal difference, but things are so congested at the foot of the table that they remain a solitary point off Newcastle in 14th.
Cardiff have also endured a torrid run of fixtures against most of the division’s big hitters. They now face a run of far less daunting games and presumably it’s the turn of their rivals to face down the top six instead.
With almost a third of the season gone, the table is starting to take shape and Cardiff are pretty much where you would expect them to be. No better and no worse. What separates them all come the end of the season is likely to come down to one of a few different factors.
Individual brilliance can drag an otherwise mediocre team up the league. Crystal Palace are a very different team with and without Wilfried Zaha, for example.
A successful January transfer window can give a team the lift they need to go on a run that steers them clear of danger.
There is also always the option of replacing the manager, an option that Southampton and Fulham may be considering over the international break, if reports are to be believed.
The other quality that is so important is team spirit and togetherness.
Cardiff lack an outstanding talent who can carry the team to safety, we do not yet know how much they will have to spend when the transfer window opens either. Fortunately, they have plenty of spirit and unity. If Cardiff do manage to stay up, it is likely to be because they have managed to stick together and keep fighting against the odds.
The win on Saturday against Brighton was a timely reminder of these qualities. Having gone a goal down, they got back on level terms and kept plugging away until they eventually got their reward late on.
In many respects, it was not a great performance. It took them a long time to get going, their ball retention was not great and they were wasteful in possession. There were also some key positives though and they certainly outweigh the negatives.
I thought it was interesting that Cardiff passed more as the game went on. Ordinarily, when up against 10 men and running out of time, you would expect Cardiff to go long, like they did without success when trailing Leicester the week before. Against Brighton, Cardiff started lumping it early in the game, much to the derision of the travelling supporters, but eventually got it down, played it about and got their reward.
Their equaliser was a brilliant passing move that was capped by some individual brilliance by Kadeem Harris, who produced a jinking run and lofted cross to supply Callum Paterson. Both players were excellent throughout and have a place in the side on merit.
Again, depending on how you view these things, some will find it telling that Cardiff were forced to turn to Harris, a player that has shown promise and faded away several times already over the years.
The fact that our right-back is playing up front speaks volumes too, but in any case Cardiff are very fortunate that they had no option but to roll the dice — and somehow won.
It’s now hard to believe that Paterson started on the bench in eight consecutive games earlier in the season after underwhelming at Bournemouth on the opening day. How did we ever make do without him?
The only player who probably topped these two on Saturday was Aron Gunnarsson, who was again exceptional.
Having been written off by some, he has made a world of difference since his return against Fulham. In an otherwise frantic midfield, he has provided a calming influence and although he might not have the stamina of old, he has the know-how to sniff out attacks before they have chance to materialise.
I also thought that Greg Cunningham’s performance was a plus. Plenty seem to have taken against him because they prefer Joe Bennett and consider it harsh on the occasions that he has been left out, but Cunningham is a solid, able deputy when required.
Criticising a player for what he's not rather than what he is always strikes me as rather harsh and chances are that Alex Smithies will probably endure this in January when Neil Etheridge heads off to the Asia Cup.
It has not gone unnoticed that Cardiff looked far more at home playing Fulham and Brighton, who are in many respects akin to a Championship side. They have struggled against the finesse and movement of the established Premier League sides they have encountered and whether they find a way to adapt against such teams will probably go a long way towards deciding their fate.
The Bluebirds can look forward to a run of kinder fixtures in the lead up to Christmas though and they must their boots. Chances are that they won’t outplay or outsmart anyone, but they’ll never give up — and as long as they hold that belief, they have a fighting chance.
Cardiff and Huddersfield are constantly being written off, but both may yet prove their doubters wrong.
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Re: One factor is driving Cardiff City's survival bid and th
Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:58 pm
Don't underestimate the value of our crowd with it's noisy,passionate vocal support, best fans in the Premier League bar none. 
Re: One factor is driving Cardiff City's survival bid and th
Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:36 pm
This " torrid run of fixtures" theme is "interesting" I wonder if this guy realises everyone's gotta play everyone else. They call it a League.
Re: One factor is driving Cardiff City's survival bid and th
Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:58 pm
City Slicker wrote:This " torrid run of fixtures" theme is "interesting" I wonder if this guy realises everyone's gotta play everyone else. They call it a League.
Yes but we have to play most of top 6 once more, many others down the bottom twice, as said previously top 5 have played bottom 5 in 20 games so far and won 19 of them with 1 draw! Weve played all 5 of them.
Re: One factor is driving Cardiff City's survival bid and th
Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:59 pm
City Slicker wrote:This " torrid run of fixtures" theme is "interesting" I wonder if this guy realises everyone's gotta play everyone else. They call it a League.
Yes but we have to play most of top 6 once more, many others down the bottom twice, as said previously top 5 have played bottom 5 in 20 games so far and won 19 of them with 1 draw! Weve played all 5 of them.
Re: One factor is driving Cardiff City's survival bid and th
Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:59 pm
City Slicker wrote:This " torrid run of fixtures" theme is "interesting" I wonder if this guy realises everyone's gotta play everyone else. They call it a League.
Yes but we have to play most of top 6 once more, many others down the bottom twice, as said previously top 5 have played bottom 5 in 20 games so far and won 19 of them with 1 draw! Weve played all 5 of them.
Re: One factor is driving Cardiff City's survival bid and th
Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:59 pm
City Slicker wrote:This " torrid run of fixtures" theme is "interesting" I wonder if this guy realises everyone's gotta play everyone else. They call it a League.
Yes but we have to play most of top 6 once more, many others down the bottom twice, as said previously top 5 have played bottom 5 in 20 games so far and won 19 of them with 1 draw! Weve played all 5 of them.
Re: One factor is driving Cardiff City's survival bid and th
Thu Nov 15, 2018 6:00 pm
City Slicker wrote:This " torrid run of fixtures" theme is "interesting" I wonder if this guy realises everyone's gotta play everyone else. They call it a League.
Yes but we have to play most of top 6 once more, many others down the bottom twice, as said previously top 5 have played bottom 5 in 20 games so far and won 19 of them with 1 draw! Weve played all 5 of them.