Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing

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Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing

Postby Forever Blue » Mon Oct 08, 2018 5:58 am

Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing for Cardiff City and the reason Tottenham were glad to get away with a 1-0


By Dominic Booth

Monday 8th October 2018


The nature of Cardiff City's 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur means that, unlike after heavy defeats to Man City and Chelsea, Neil Warnock really can take the positives this time.

Yes, Spurs were slightly off-colour and spurned numerous chances to kill the game, but Cardiff were in the contest for the full 90 minutes. Even after going down to 10 men.

So where does the defeat leave under-fire Warnock and his troops?

It's another body blow to their confidence of course but, going into the international break, they will take encouragement.






Here are the main talking points...



Warnock made a sound point in his post-match press conference . It's not very often you see Tottenham - with their glittering array of World Cup stars - wasting time in the final minutes against a newly promoted team, "little old Cardiff" as he put it.

Mauricio Pochettino rightly thought his team should have done better. You got that sense from the Wembley crowd too.

This was a team who'd gone toe-to-toe with Barcelona just three days earlier. A team who regularly challenge for the title.

Yet Cardiff scrapped and made life difficult for Harry Kane and company - to the point where Spurs were content with 1-0.

The Bluebirds were even able to retain a threat once Ralls had been dismissed. Sean Morrison came agonisingly close to equalising when he stole a march on the hosts' defence from Victor Camarasa's deep free kick.

Another tale of what might have been.

The team looks better balanced

Eight games in, three systems tried, but it finally appears Warnock has settled on a formation that suits his squad.

Camarasa was returned to a central position as Warnock picked both Josh Murphy and Junior Hoilett to be his wing fliers, with Callum Paterson a surprise option up front.

Bar Bruno Manga at right back it meant all Cardiff's players were in positions that played to their strengths. Debate still rages about how best to fit the Gabon international into the Bluebirds side.

Yet it said a lot that Kane - as pointed out by Match Of The Day - was forced to drop into deeper positions to pick up possession, such was the balance and discipline displayed by the visitors.

The gut-wrenching part was another sloppy goal conceded from a set-piece against one of the 'big six' sides. It proved the difference in Cardiff's 3-2 defeat to Arsenal (when Shkodran Mustafi was the beneficiary) and again here with Eric Dier.







Paterson could be an option up front, but where does this leave Zohore?

Callum Paterson is nothing if not a willing runner.

And the way he chased lost causes into the Wembley channels perhaps sent a message to Kenneth Zohore, who simply hasn't exhibited the same sharpness and drive when he's featured this term.

It's clear Zohore is woefully out of form, therefore Warnock was forced to improvise and select Paterson - signed as a right-back let's remember - as his No.9.

Zohore wasn't summoned from the bench at any stage, even when Danny Ward hobbled off just seven minutes after replacing Paterson. The Dane cut a forlorn figure when the TV cameras briefly captured him on the big screen.

Paterson's energy and aerial ability suggested he's worth persisting with. He's won 76 aerial duels this season, only Morrison has won won more for Cardiff (77) and the captain has played more than twice as many minutes.

The Scot should play as a target man against Fulham.

Morrison produces his Premier League best

Facing Harry Kane is no easy task but Sean Morrison, speaking before the trip to Spurs, insisted he was "relishing" the battle.

It's easy to spout such platitudes in press conferences but Kane was becalmed on his favourite Wembley turf - and it was largely thanks to Cardiff's star man Morrison.



The skipper has taken some flak this term for uncharacteristic lapses at the back.

But with duels against Aleksandr Mitrovic, Glenn Murray and the small matter of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and company on the horizon, he and his manager will take great heart from this one.

Other results fall in Cardiff's favour - and winnable home games to come

Manchester United's astonishing comeback victory over Newcastle United was backpage news for so many reasons. But a subtext to the Old Trafford drama was that it left the Magpies on the same number of points as Cardiff.

The Bluebirds won't worry too much anyway about sitting rock bottom at this early stage. Not with vital home encounters with Fulham - who were thrashed 5-1 by Arsenal on Sunday - as well as Leicester and Brighton to come. Four of their eight matches so far have been 'freebies' against top six sides they wouldn't expect to beat.

But after Huddersfield picked up a point at Burnley, it was just as well that Rafa Benitez's men didn't race away from Cardiff with a win.

Forget the pundits. It's too early to consign anyone to the drop in October.

Cardiff will just hope to capitalise on some kinder fixtures in the next month or two and prove one or two people wrong.
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Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing

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Re: Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing

Postby Forever Blue » Mon Oct 08, 2018 6:00 am

:bluebird:
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Re: Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing

Postby Wolfpac » Mon Oct 08, 2018 7:34 am

Next 6 fixtures are huge getting some points on the board is a must.

Home to Fulham – has to be must win
Away to Liverpool – Enjoy the experience, we will lose
Home to Leicester – Another massive game, very good team, a win would be incredible
Home to Brighton – Again big test but I think we have enough to nullify Hughton’s men
Away to Everton – Goodison park won’t be a good place to go
Home to Wolves – Massive game, that Neves goal killed us last season, I’d take a draw

Possible - 10 from 18 if we beat Fulham, Leicester, Brighton and draw with Wolves - might sound ambitious but when you're in a fight you have to turn up
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Re: Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing

Postby neathbluebird » Mon Oct 08, 2018 8:40 pm

Remember Leicester..they were bottom at xmas then went on a good run to stay up and won the title the following season..so who knows :lol:
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Re: Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing

Postby soldierblue1880 » Tue Oct 09, 2018 12:03 pm

It does if you stay there
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Re: Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing

Postby Scandinavianbluebird » Tue Oct 09, 2018 12:37 pm

Why going bottom means something. It’s uphill from there. You question yourself as a footballer. It’s hard keeping positive, believing in yourself and your team, maybe everyone questioning us have been right all along. It’s a mental challenge, and without experience it is a very difficult one. So dress it up anyway you want.
Win the next match, and it becomes easier. Loose, and it becomes even harder.
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Re: Why going bottom of the Premier League means nothing

Postby pembroke allan » Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:11 pm

People still saying we will beat derby's record low points tally! :o
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