The two really strong-looking Cardiff teams Warnock could
Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:52 pm
The two really strong-looking Cardiff City teams Neil Warnock could field in the Championship this season
By Paul Abdanatato
Sunday 7th July 2019
Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock has a potential embarrassment of riches at his disposal as he plans a promotion campaign for the Bluebirds in the Championship.
How he manages a bumper squad, with a plethora of players desperate to make the starting XI, will be key for the season ahead.
We have outlined two completely different Cardiff City XIs Warnock may be able to pick - and you could argue the reserves aren't that far behind the so-called first team!
A number of players, including £6m man Gary Madine and fellow striker Danny Ward, don't even make either of the sides, demonstrating the strength in depth in the Cardiff squad.
Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan stated he planned to back Warnock in the transfer market for an immediate crack at a return to the Premier League and thus far he has been true to his word.
Midfielder Will Vaulks, defender Curtis Nelson and goalkeeper Joe Day have already joined, albeit none of them costing a fortune.
Tan is ready to push the boat out further by spending on a new striker, who won't come cheap, while a winger and a further midfielder are also on Warnock's radar.
Even more important, though, there have been no significant outgoings from Cardiff's Premier League team as the Bluebirds insist they intend to keep hold of their key players.
The new players already in - Will Vaulks, Joe Day and Curtis Nelson - increase competition for places
A number of stars are attracting interest from Premier League clubs, Bruno Manga, Sean Morrison, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Neil Etheridge amongst them.
But Cardiff are saying that unless silly money comes in, they won't sell.
There are also a number of other almost forgotten players who have returned to the fold for pre-season training, some from loan spells elsewhere, others simply from the wilderness. These include Omar Bogle, Gary Madine, Matt Connolly and Loic Damour.
Then, of course, we have the unexpected case of Lee Tomlin.
No-one doubts his footballing genius. When Warnock signed him for £3m he likened him to his mercurial former Queens Park Rangers talisman Adel Taarabt.
Tomlin wasn't expected to play for Cardiff any more. But he has overcome his demons, returned to the fold in the fittest shape of his career and is ready to throw an unanticipated, but also most welcome, selection grenade into the mix.
At his sharpest and best, Tomlin has to play. He has more creativity and vision than anyone else at the football club.
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock will applaud the arrival of a new slimline Lee Tomlin for pre-season training
But Cardiff have always intended to make Bobby Reid one of their kingpins this season, and rightly so too. He scored 19 league goals when playing in the Championship for Bristol City a couple of seasons back and for good measure grabbed a couple in the League Cup - including one against a Manchester City side containing their superstars in a semi-final clash.
Cardiff argue their team is better this time around than it was when they went up previously under Warnock. The presence of Reid and Josh Murphy, bought for the Premier League at £21m, is a key reason behind that thought process.
They say strength in depth is essential in the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday grind of the Championship. If so, not too many will be able to boast the resources of Cardiff.
Here are the options which could be available to Warnock.
TEAM A (WARNOCK'S LIKELY XI)
This won't be the side that takes the field in the August 3 opener at Wigan, because Sol Bamba won't be fit. But when he returns Warnock will presumably put Bruno Manga back at right-back - if his star defender from the Premier League hasn't joined a club abroad.
Warnock loves Will Vaulks and Joe Ralls, so expect them to feature prominently in his midfield for the whole campaign.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Bobby Reid and Josh Murphy showed what they can do as a trio behind the front-man in the excellent 2-0 win at Manchester United last time out.
Kenneth Zohore, the striker that day, shone as brightly as any of them. Some fans feel this is the quartet Warnock should have picked the whole season and is the one he must go with in the Championship.
But moves do seem to be afoot to bring in a new front-man who Warnock feels can grab 20-plus goals. A rarity for Cardiff City in recent times.
It is unclear whether Cardiff will pay £10m-plus for that target, or sign a Tammy Abraham type figure on loan for the campaign.
Cardiff are keeping their striker plans under wraps, but it does appear that they will be spending money one way or another.
Warnock knows, however, that an on-song and fully fired-up Zohore is more than a match for anybody he is likely to bring on board.
As for the goalkeeper, the situation of having three top number ones on the books isn't really sustainable.
If Neil Etheridge stays, he will be picked. If he doesn't it'll be a straight shootout between Alex Smithies and newcomer Joe Day for the jersey.
TEAM B (A PRETTY FORMIDABLE 'SECOND' XI)
As second XIs go, this is not a bad little line-up, is it?
You could easily argue the front three of Zohore, Lee Tomlin and Junior Hoilett is stronger than the first team's forward line. Backing them up would be Callum Paterson, who has proved he can score goals in the Championship and Premier League.
Warnock accepts he is still short in midfield. The extra capture he is targeting could yet prove to be a better, more dominant player than either Ralls or Vaulks.
The back four is not bad either. Lee Peltier got better and better as the Premier League campaign wore on, Warnock reckons new defender Curtis Nelson has top-flight quality and he has previously raved about the left-back qualities of Greg Cunningham, who cost £4m from Preston.
Matt Connolly? He has rarely let Cardiff down, but with Manga, Bamba, Morrison and Nelson also on the books there is no first XI opportunity for him.
As for the goalkeeper, take your pick between Smithies and Day. Each have qualities.
One presumes that if Etheridge stays, Smithies will be loaned out elsewhere for the season, or possibly sold. Like Cunningham he too cost £4m and will want action after playing second fiddle to Etheridge's brilliance last time around.
But make no mistake, Etheridge is very much the man in possession of the number one shirt.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=208300
By Paul Abdanatato
Sunday 7th July 2019
Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock has a potential embarrassment of riches at his disposal as he plans a promotion campaign for the Bluebirds in the Championship.
How he manages a bumper squad, with a plethora of players desperate to make the starting XI, will be key for the season ahead.
We have outlined two completely different Cardiff City XIs Warnock may be able to pick - and you could argue the reserves aren't that far behind the so-called first team!
A number of players, including £6m man Gary Madine and fellow striker Danny Ward, don't even make either of the sides, demonstrating the strength in depth in the Cardiff squad.
Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan stated he planned to back Warnock in the transfer market for an immediate crack at a return to the Premier League and thus far he has been true to his word.
Midfielder Will Vaulks, defender Curtis Nelson and goalkeeper Joe Day have already joined, albeit none of them costing a fortune.
Tan is ready to push the boat out further by spending on a new striker, who won't come cheap, while a winger and a further midfielder are also on Warnock's radar.
Even more important, though, there have been no significant outgoings from Cardiff's Premier League team as the Bluebirds insist they intend to keep hold of their key players.
The new players already in - Will Vaulks, Joe Day and Curtis Nelson - increase competition for places
A number of stars are attracting interest from Premier League clubs, Bruno Manga, Sean Morrison, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Neil Etheridge amongst them.
But Cardiff are saying that unless silly money comes in, they won't sell.
There are also a number of other almost forgotten players who have returned to the fold for pre-season training, some from loan spells elsewhere, others simply from the wilderness. These include Omar Bogle, Gary Madine, Matt Connolly and Loic Damour.
Then, of course, we have the unexpected case of Lee Tomlin.
No-one doubts his footballing genius. When Warnock signed him for £3m he likened him to his mercurial former Queens Park Rangers talisman Adel Taarabt.
Tomlin wasn't expected to play for Cardiff any more. But he has overcome his demons, returned to the fold in the fittest shape of his career and is ready to throw an unanticipated, but also most welcome, selection grenade into the mix.
At his sharpest and best, Tomlin has to play. He has more creativity and vision than anyone else at the football club.
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock will applaud the arrival of a new slimline Lee Tomlin for pre-season training
But Cardiff have always intended to make Bobby Reid one of their kingpins this season, and rightly so too. He scored 19 league goals when playing in the Championship for Bristol City a couple of seasons back and for good measure grabbed a couple in the League Cup - including one against a Manchester City side containing their superstars in a semi-final clash.
Cardiff argue their team is better this time around than it was when they went up previously under Warnock. The presence of Reid and Josh Murphy, bought for the Premier League at £21m, is a key reason behind that thought process.
They say strength in depth is essential in the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday grind of the Championship. If so, not too many will be able to boast the resources of Cardiff.
Here are the options which could be available to Warnock.
TEAM A (WARNOCK'S LIKELY XI)
This won't be the side that takes the field in the August 3 opener at Wigan, because Sol Bamba won't be fit. But when he returns Warnock will presumably put Bruno Manga back at right-back - if his star defender from the Premier League hasn't joined a club abroad.
Warnock loves Will Vaulks and Joe Ralls, so expect them to feature prominently in his midfield for the whole campaign.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Bobby Reid and Josh Murphy showed what they can do as a trio behind the front-man in the excellent 2-0 win at Manchester United last time out.
Kenneth Zohore, the striker that day, shone as brightly as any of them. Some fans feel this is the quartet Warnock should have picked the whole season and is the one he must go with in the Championship.
But moves do seem to be afoot to bring in a new front-man who Warnock feels can grab 20-plus goals. A rarity for Cardiff City in recent times.
It is unclear whether Cardiff will pay £10m-plus for that target, or sign a Tammy Abraham type figure on loan for the campaign.
Cardiff are keeping their striker plans under wraps, but it does appear that they will be spending money one way or another.
Warnock knows, however, that an on-song and fully fired-up Zohore is more than a match for anybody he is likely to bring on board.
As for the goalkeeper, the situation of having three top number ones on the books isn't really sustainable.
If Neil Etheridge stays, he will be picked. If he doesn't it'll be a straight shootout between Alex Smithies and newcomer Joe Day for the jersey.
TEAM B (A PRETTY FORMIDABLE 'SECOND' XI)
As second XIs go, this is not a bad little line-up, is it?
You could easily argue the front three of Zohore, Lee Tomlin and Junior Hoilett is stronger than the first team's forward line. Backing them up would be Callum Paterson, who has proved he can score goals in the Championship and Premier League.
Warnock accepts he is still short in midfield. The extra capture he is targeting could yet prove to be a better, more dominant player than either Ralls or Vaulks.
The back four is not bad either. Lee Peltier got better and better as the Premier League campaign wore on, Warnock reckons new defender Curtis Nelson has top-flight quality and he has previously raved about the left-back qualities of Greg Cunningham, who cost £4m from Preston.
Matt Connolly? He has rarely let Cardiff down, but with Manga, Bamba, Morrison and Nelson also on the books there is no first XI opportunity for him.
As for the goalkeeper, take your pick between Smithies and Day. Each have qualities.
One presumes that if Etheridge stays, Smithies will be loaned out elsewhere for the season, or possibly sold. Like Cunningham he too cost £4m and will want action after playing second fiddle to Etheridge's brilliance last time around.
But make no mistake, Etheridge is very much the man in possession of the number one shirt.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=208300
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Re: The two really strong-looking Cardiff teams Warnock coul
Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:58 pm
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Re: The two really strong-looking Cardiff teams Warnock coul
Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:59 pm
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Re: The two really strong-looking Cardiff teams Warnock coul
Mon Jul 08, 2019 7:47 am
The second one has a HORRID defence. No thanks
Re: The two really strong-looking Cardiff teams Warnock coul
Mon Jul 08, 2019 9:41 am
Visual representation of the depth we already have to the squad. I suspect some will leave and fresh faces will come in. Lots of depth, but we're a bit top heavy with poor defensive cover. So, just about tweaking and finding the right balance now. Finally no more rebuilding like we seem to have been doing for the last 7 years!!
Re: The two really strong-looking Cardiff teams Warnock coul
Mon Jul 08, 2019 10:12 am
Yeah. I wouldn’t expect any strikers either. The “likely” squad could and should involve Zohore, not a new signing. And then the second squad could be Paterson up top with Damour or even Richards in midfield. You could even have Ward, Madine, Healey. There’s a lot of good championship striker options. Would be silly to bring in a new striker. However if our secondary wingers are reliant on Hoilett (who in my opinion is getting slower every season becoming less effective, but still a good dribbler), and Tomlin (who I don’t even think is a winger, at the age of 30 too Tomlin and Hoilett on the wings would not suit our counter attacking style. So I would suggest if there’s Money to be spent on a big signing, I would hope it’d be a winger to be true competition for Murphy & Mendez-Laing
Re: The two really strong-looking Cardiff teams Warnock coul
Mon Jul 08, 2019 4:55 pm
Deep Blue FC wrote:The second one has a HORRID defence. No thanks
Exactly he writes some shite and this is up there with the best of it.
Titles it two formidable 11’s names 10 players in each team and the second team would be lucky to be mid table.
Top journalism right there.
Re: The two really strong-looking Cardiff teams Warnock coul
Mon Jul 08, 2019 5:00 pm
Llan_Blue wrote:Deep Blue FC wrote:The second one has a HORRID defence. No thanks
Exactly he writes some shite and this is up there with the best of it.
Titles it two formidable 11’s names 10 players in each team and the second team would be lucky to be mid table.
Top journalism right there.
“You could easily argue that The second attack is better than the first”
He’s trying to say that it’s debatable that:
Tomlin & Hoilett
Is better than
Murphy & Mendez-Laing
Re: The two really strong-looking Cardiff teams Warnock coul
Mon Jul 08, 2019 7:42 pm
Deep Blue FC wrote:Llan_Blue wrote:Deep Blue FC wrote:The second one has a HORRID defence. No thanks
Exactly he writes some shite and this is up there with the best of it.
Titles it two formidable 11’s names 10 players in each team and the second team would be lucky to be mid table.
Top journalism right there.
“You could easily argue that The second attack is better than the first”
He’s trying to say that it’s debatable that:
Tomlin & Hoilett
Is better than
Murphy & Mendez-Laing
And considering Murphy, Mendez-Laing, Reid and Zohore managed to tear Manchester United a new ass hole in the last game they played together surely Zohore should be in that first team instead of an imaginary player.