Sat Aug 31, 2019 1:00 pm
The truth about where Cardiff City are right now
The Bluebirds were held to a draw despite the visitors going down to 10 men
SATURDAY 31 AUG 2019
By Glen Williams
The Bluebirds were held to a draw despite the visitors going down to 10 men
It is easy to look at the bare-faced statistics from Friday night's stalemate with Fulham and draw from it a miserable conclusion.
For the numbers tell us that Cardiff, at home, had just 31 percent of the ball, compared to Fulham's 69, and completed 341 fewer passes – and the visitors had only 10 men for the final 20 minutes.
And while that may be cause for concern for some, it certainly does not tell the whole story.
The Cottagers were, for large parts, aimless with their possession, knocking it around the back four or the midfield, while Cardiff, though direct, appeared purposeful.
Lest we forget this is a brilliant Fulham side with a vaunted forward line, who, it must be said, were marshalled expertly throughout the evening, albeit for one lapse in concentration just before half time.
So, while it was not a positive result, there were certainly positives to take from the game. There are now signs this Bluebirds outfit, who, at many points this season, had looked disjointed and rudderless, is starting to come together and is singing from the same hymn sheet.
Neil Warnock on Friday night picked the same starting XI for the third game in a row, a luxury that has been scarcely afforded to him due to his players dropping like flies at the beginning of the campaign.
And it is gradually beginning to bear fruit. This XI has earned a win and two draws in the last three fixtures and the players are now beginning to develop partnerships and an understanding.
Lee Tomlin and Robert Glatzel's relationship is growing with each match, Gavin Whyte and Lee Peltier are beginning to understand the nuances of each other's games on the right flank and Leandro Bacuna and Joe Ralls now appear to be in sync in the middle of the park.
But let's make no bones about it; two wins, two draws and two losses, and being dumped out of the Carabao Cup, is not the start Warnock — nor Cardiff fans – had envisaged.
Having come down from the Premier League, the Bluebirds had a target on their back and have thus far been unconvincing.
It is why they so desperately need this international break, to take stock. Warnock will doubtless be getting to work on the training ground because, let's face it, Cardiff need to hit the ground running after the hiatus.
While encouraging signs are beginning to show, this hugely-talented squad needs to show more. Yes, injuries to Neil Etheridge, Sol Bamba and Marlon Pack would hurt any team in this division, but there is still enough quality in this side to be right up at the top of the table.
This fortnight will be crucial. Cardiff's crocked stars will be two weeks closer to full fitness, the coaching staff will be tirelessly ironing out the creases and the players have yet more opportunity to meld together.
So, how do we sum up this first portion of the season as we head into the international break? Well, at best it has been inconsistent and at worst it has been pretty poor – so somewhere within that scope we are likely to find the true bearing.
It will need to be far better than that, of course, to get this promotion charge on course when the Championship returns with a visit to Derby on September 13,
Sat Aug 31, 2019 1:23 pm
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Last edited by pembroke allan on Sat Aug 31, 2019 1:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sat Aug 31, 2019 1:23 pm
Some parts true others way off mark! Main point though is no club comes down from premier league and do particularly well unless you keep majority of the players like Newcastle did! We will get better no doubt about that and with that think we will be challenging top 6 at worst
Sat Aug 31, 2019 5:04 pm
We look a mid table side. At best a side which will be hanging onto the coat tails of those sides battling for a play off place, hoping we can come with a late run. What disappoints me is I cant see that any of our replacements are anything better than average championship players. We had all summer to get in quality recruits and we appear to have failed.
Fulham were no great shakes admittedly - knocking it around but not getting anywhere - but I think every single one of the players they signed this season were Premier League players last season, whereas none of those we have signed have come anywhere near playing at that level. And much though it pains me to say it, I would very surprised if we finish anywhere near them at the end of the season.
Sat Aug 31, 2019 5:45 pm
Forever Blue wrote:The truth about where Cardiff City are right now
The Bluebirds were held to a draw despite the visitors going down to 10 men
SATURDAY 31 AUG 2019
By Glen Williams
The Bluebirds were held to a draw despite the visitors going down to 10 men
It is easy to look at the bare-faced statistics from Friday night's stalemate with Fulham and draw from it a miserable conclusion.
For the numbers tell us that Cardiff, at home, had just 31 percent of the ball, compared to Fulham's 69, and completed 341 fewer passes – and the visitors had only 10 men for the final 20 minutes.
And while that may be cause for concern for some, it certainly does not tell the whole story.
The Cottagers were, for large parts, aimless with their possession, knocking it around the back four or the midfield, while Cardiff, though direct, appeared purposeful.
Lest we forget this is a brilliant Fulham side with a vaunted forward line, who, it must be said, were marshalled expertly throughout the evening, albeit for one lapse in concentration just before half time.
So, while it was not a positive result, there were certainly positives to take from the game. There are now signs this Bluebirds outfit, who, at many points this season, had looked disjointed and rudderless, is starting to come together and is singing from the same hymn sheet.
Neil Warnock on Friday night picked the same starting XI for the third game in a row, a luxury that has been scarcely afforded to him due to his players dropping like flies at the beginning of the campaign.
And it is gradually beginning to bear fruit. This XI has earned a win and two draws in the last three fixtures and the players are now beginning to develop partnerships and an understanding.
Lee Tomlin and Robert Glatzel's relationship is growing with each match, Gavin Whyte and Lee Peltier are beginning to understand the nuances of each other's games on the right flank and Leandro Bacuna and Joe Ralls now appear to be in sync in the middle of the park.
But let's make no bones about it; two wins, two draws and two losses, and being dumped out of the Carabao Cup, is not the start Warnock — nor Cardiff fans – had envisaged.
Having come down from the Premier League, the Bluebirds had a target on their back and have thus far been unconvincing.
It is why they so desperately need this international break, to take stock. Warnock will doubtless be getting to work on the training ground because, let's face it, Cardiff need to hit the ground running after the hiatus.
While encouraging signs are beginning to show, this hugely-talented squad needs to show more. Yes, injuries to Neil Etheridge, Sol Bamba and Marlon Pack would hurt any team in this division, but there is still enough quality in this side to be right up at the top of the table.
This fortnight will be crucial. Cardiff's crocked stars will be two weeks closer to full fitness, the coaching staff will be tirelessly ironing out the creases and the players have yet more opportunity to meld together.
So, how do we sum up this first portion of the season as we head into the international break? Well, at best it has been inconsistent and at worst it has been pretty poor – so somewhere within that scope we are likely to find the true bearing.
It will need to be far better than that, of course, to get this promotion charge on course when the Championship returns with a visit to Derby on September 13,
This hugely-talented squad? Have you seen the Leeds squad? Have you seen the Swansea squad?