Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:01 pm
Lee Tomlin magic and the game plan that almost paid off
By Glen Williams
Friday 31st July 2020
Credit where it is due, Neil Harris' game plan almost worked a treat on Thursday night.
His pre-match words were pretty telling, insisting Cardiff needed match-winners on the field at the beginning and at the end of the game.
It was no surprise, then, that Lee Tomlin was named on the bench. Harris was hoping to stay in the match and unleash his maverick in the second half when the game was stretched.
Fans raised an eyebrow or two when the team news was announced an hour before kick-off, but there was logic to the selections the manager made.
When Tomlin slapped home Cardiff's second just after his introduction after the break, Harris must have felt vindicated.
Indeed, Tomlin was central to much of what was positive in the second half, leaving fans questioning what impact he might have had from the off.
But he looked a little off the pace on Monday and Harris wanted quality over quantity from him and the last 45 minutes, the manager felt, would be the most crucial. The best opportunity for Tomlin to affect the game.
It was disappointing to see him leave the field with six minutes to go - he can do a lot of damage with the ball at his feet in that time - and Cardiff fans will hope it is not too serious.
He has been nothing short of magnificent this season and very nearly proved the difference once again on Thursday night.